Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Columbus Mayor & City Council Election 2026
3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 7 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
Not sure who to vote for? Answer 5 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.
No sign-in. Your answers stay on your device. We never endorse anyone.
How to vote · 12 days left
Election Day (Nov 3): the election office's noticeThese links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
Mayor
1 seat- Rob BuschUnion carpenter and member of the Columbus City Council. He says he has served on the council for the past six years.15sourced
- Ron HanegraafIncumbentRetired Forest Lake police sergeant and the incumbent mayor of Columbus. He lists five years on the Planning Commission, including as chair, four years on the City Council and two years as mayor.15sourced
- Dave PovolnyElectrical engineer, licensed master electrician and business owner who was mayor of Columbus for eight years. He lists more than 30 years mentoring University of Minnesota engineering students.7sourced
City Council
Vote for up to 2- Joshua BautchWater plant technician with 24 years of public works experience.2sourced
- Karen M. FlemingIncumbentRetired credit union executive and a member of the Columbus City Council. She lists 43 years working with credit unions and 18 years as CEO of HBI Credit Union.10sourced
- Jacob SalkowiczProduction manager who describes himself as a business owner and construction manager.2sourced
- Scott WendellIncumbentEnvironmental health and safety consultant and manager, and a member of the Columbus City Council. He lists 22 years working for local cities and past service on the Columbus Planning Commission.12sourced
Voters citywide choose a mayor from three candidates and two at-large council members from four candidates; Council Member Jennifer Lattin-Anglin is not on this ballot, and Council Member Rob Busch's council term runs to 2028 while he runs for mayor.
Also on your Nov 3 ballot
We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.
- Governor
- Amy Klobuchar · Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Lisa Demuth · Republican
- Steven Young · Green
- U.S. Senate
- Peggy Flanagan · Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Michele Tafoya · Republican
- Marisa Simonetti · Independent
- Rebecca Whiting · Libertarian
- Also statewideSecretary of State · State Auditor · Attorney General · Associate Justice - Supreme Court · Judge - Court of Appeals
- Statewide measures1 on the ballot: the state's official explanations
Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.
What the next council decides
01New City Hall4 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council chose to build a new City Hall and gave preliminary approval to up to $5.3 million in bonds; after a citizen petition, voters will decide on the bonds in a Feb. 9, 2027 special election.
What's on the tableThe next council will oversee the City Hall design and cost, and how to pay for it, depending on the outcome of the bond vote.
- City staff said the existing City Hall was built in phases between 1980 and 1993 and has growing maintenance needs, accessibility limits and space constraints. City of Columbus · Jun 24, 2026
- Resolution 26-18 would authorize Capital Improvement Plan general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $5,300,000; the council approved it 5-0 in July 2026. City of Columbus · Jul 22, 2026
- Staff said the proposed building had been reduced to about 9,900 square feet and its cost to about $6.65 million. City of Columbus · Jul 22, 2026
- After a petition with enough valid signatures, the council voted 5-0 to call a special election for Feb. 9, 2027 on the City Hall bonds. City of Columbus · Sep 9, 2026
02Property taxes and the 2027 budget3 sourced facts
Where it standsIn September 2026 the council set a 2027 preliminary levy discussed as an increase of about 3.8 percent; the final budget and levy come up on Dec. 9, 2026.
What's on the tableThe council will set the final 2027 levy, which may be lowered but not raised from the preliminary amount, and future yearly levies.
- The council approved the 2027 preliminary property-tax levy 5-0 in September 2026. City of Columbus · Sep 9, 2026
- Staff said the preliminary levy may be reduced before final adoption but may not be increased after certification to Anoka County. City of Columbus · Sep 9, 2026
- The final 2026 levy was a 2.0% increase, which staff said was the second lowest among the 21 municipalities in Anoka County. City of Columbus · Dec 10, 2025
03Rural land use and growth3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council has split on recent rural subdivision and land-use requests, including a 3-2 variance and a 4-1 final plat in July 2026.
What's on the tableThe next council will rule on subdivisions, conditional use permits and zoning changes that shape how rural Columbus develops.
- In July 2026 the council approved a variance for a shared-access easement for a two-lot subdivision at 14561 Furman Street NE, 3-2. City of Columbus · Jul 8, 2026
- The city attorney advised that a preliminary plat complying with City Code must be approved, subject to lawful conditions. City of Columbus · Jul 8, 2026
- In June 2026 the council approved a conditional use permit for a church at 8220 Lake Drive NE, 4-1. City of Columbus · Jun 10, 2026
04Home businesses2 sourced facts
Where it standsOrdinance 23-09, adopted in October 2023, sets the city's rules for home occupations and residential zoned businesses.
What's on the tableThe next council could keep or change the city's rules for businesses run from homes in residential areas.
- The council approved Ordinance 23-09 on home occupations and residential zoned businesses in October 2023, with four ayes and one abstention. City of Columbus · Oct 25, 2023
- Ordinance 23-09 set a grace period for existing residential zoned businesses that ends Nov. 1, 2028. City of Columbus · Oct 25, 2023
05Filling council vacancies3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council filled two vacancies by appointment in 2025: Scott Wendell in January and Karen M. Fleming after Janet Hegland resigned in the fall.
What's on the tableIf a sitting council member wins the mayor's race, the council will have to fill that council seat.
- In January 2025 a motion to call a special election for the vacant council seat failed 2-2. City of Columbus · Jan 22, 2025
- After the council tied 2-2 on appointments, Mayor Ron Hanegraaf appointed Scott Wendell to the vacant seat for a term ending Dec. 31, 2026. City of Columbus · Jan 22, 2025
- The council accepted Council Member Janet Hegland's resignation in October 2025 and declared a vacancy. City of Columbus · Oct 22, 2025
5 notes on these statements
Dave Povolny took part in the League of Women Voters forum for mayor; Ron Hanegraaf submitted a written statement, and Rob Busch did not respond to the invitation. League of Women Voters Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids Area: 2026 Candidate Forums
Karen M. Fleming and Scott Wendell took part in the League of Women Voters forum for City Council; Joshua Bautch and Jacob Salkowicz did not respond to the invitation. League of Women Voters Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids Area: 2026 Candidate Forums
Scott Wendell was appointed to the council seat Ron Hanegraaf left when he became mayor. City of Columbus · Jan 22, 2025
Karen M. Fleming was appointed to the council seat of former council member Janet Hegland, who resigned in fall 2025. Forest Lake Times · Aug 6, 2026
Rob Busch's council term ends December 31, 2028. City of Columbus
No sign-in · answers stay on your phone
Who matches you?
Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.
1. Should Columbus issue up to $5.3 million in bonds to build a new City Hall?
2. What should the council do with the city's property tax levy?
3. Should Columbus allow denser housing along the I-35 freeway corridor?
4. Should the city loosen its rules so more small businesses can run from homes in residential areas?
5. When a council seat becomes vacant, should it be filled by a special election?
Key dates
- Election DayMinnesota Secretary of StateNov 3, 2026
- Council meeting to adopt the final 2027 budget and tax levyCity of Columbus · Sep 9, 2026Dec 9, 2026
- Special election on bonds for a new City HallCity of Columbus · Sep 9, 2026Feb 9, 2027
The seat math
1 stay (not up this year): Jennifer Lattin-Anglin3 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- The Columbus City Council meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. in City Hall. City of Columbus
- The mayor serves a two-year term and City Council members serve four-year terms. City of Columbus
- The mayor votes on council motions; Mayor Ron Hanegraaf is listed in the roll-call votes with the four council members. City of Columbus · Sep 9, 2026
- When the council tied 2-2 on filling a vacant seat in January 2025, the mayor made the appointment, as the city attorney advised the mayor may do. City of Columbus · Jan 22, 2025
Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
See something wrong? Report an error
Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.