Columbus Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Rob
Busch
Rob Busch is running for mayor of Columbus in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Dave Povolny and Ron Hanegraaf.
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The race · Mayor
- 01Rob BuschYou’re reading
- 02Ron HanegraafIncumbent
- 03Dave Povolny
Background
- About
- Union carpenter and member of the Columbus City Council. He says he has served on the council for the past six years.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Nonpartisan
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
Rob Busch's council term ends December 31, 2028. City of Columbus
On the record: Rob Busch
15 sourced01City Hall3 sourced positions
Voted yes on Resolution 26-18 adopting a Capital Improvement Plan and giving preliminary approval to up to $5.3 million in bonds for a new City Hall (passed 5-0, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Columbus · Jul 22, 2026LinkHow the council voted
as recorded in the City Council minutes; not a direct quote
Said a right-sized new City Hall would better serve residents and give city staff a better place to work.
Own statementCity of Columbus · Jun 24, 2026Link
Voted yes on Resolution 26-24 calling a Feb. 9, 2027 special election on bonds for a new City Hall (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
Council voteCity of Columbus · Sep 9, 2026LinkHow the council voted
02Property taxes3 sourced positions
Voted yes on Resolution 26-28 setting the 2027 preliminary property tax levy (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
Council voteCity of Columbus · Sep 9, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on Resolution 25-20 approving the final 2026 budget (passed 5-0, Dec. 2025).
Council voteCity of Columbus · Dec 10, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Says tax dollars should be used responsibly and benefit all residents.
Keeping taxpayers’ best interests in mind by ensuring tax dollars are used responsibly and benefit all residents.”
Own statementForest Lake Times · Sep 24, 2026Link
03Rural land use3 sourced positions
Voted yes on a variance for the shared-access easement of a two-lot subdivision at 14561 Furman Street NE (passed 3-2, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Columbus · Jul 8, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on the final plat for LaMeyer Estates, a two-lot subdivision at 14561 Furman Street NE (passed 4-1, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Columbus · Jul 22, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted no on a conditional use permit for a church, Fishing for Life, at 8220 Lake Drive NE (passed 4-1, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Columbus · Jun 10, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04Council vacancies2 sourced positions
Voted yes on a motion to call a special election for the vacant council seat (failed 2-2, Jan. 2025).
Council voteCity of Columbus · Jan 22, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted no on a motion to appoint Scott Wendell to the vacant council seat (failed 2-2, Jan. 2025).
Council voteCity of Columbus · Jan 22, 2025LinkHow the council voted
05Home businesses1 sourced position
Abstained on Ordinance 23-09 on home occupations and residential zoned businesses (passed 4-0 with one abstention, Oct. 2023).
Council voteCity of Columbus · Oct 25, 2023Link
06City staff1 sourced position
Voted no on the Performance Review Policy and Procedure and Merit Pay Plan (passed 3-2, Aug. 2025).
Council voteCity of Columbus · Aug 13, 2025LinkHow the council voted
07Housing1 sourced position
Supports higher-density senior housing along the freeway corridor while keeping the five-acre minimum elsewhere.
By encouraging higher density senior housing in appropriate areas, especially along the freeway corridor in the northeast and northwest quads.”
Own statementForest Lake Times · Sep 24, 2026Link
08Past candidacy1 sourced position
Ran for Columbus City Council in 2024 as a nonpartisan candidate (won).
Own statementMinnesota Secretary of State · Nov 5, 2024Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Rob Busch: their words and their votes on the same issue
City Hall
In their words
Said a right-sized new City Hall would better serve residents and give city staff a better place to work.
Jun 24, 2026 ·as recorded in the City Council minutes; not a direct quote ·City of Columbus · Jun 24, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on Resolution 26-24 calling a Feb. 9, 2027 special election on bonds for a new City Hall (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
Sep 9, 2026 ·City of Columbus · Sep 9, 2026
Property taxes
In their words
Says tax dollars should be used responsibly and benefit all residents.
Sep 24, 2026 ·Forest Lake Times · Sep 24, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on Resolution 25-20 approving the final 2026 budget (passed 5-0, Dec. 2025).
Dec 10, 2025 ·City of Columbus · Dec 10, 2025
Voted yes on Resolution 26-28 setting the 2027 preliminary property tax levy (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
Sep 9, 2026 ·City of Columbus · Sep 9, 2026
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