Columbus Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Ron
Hanegraaf
Ron Hanegraaf, the incumbent, is running for mayor of Columbus in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Dave Povolny and Rob Busch.
Not sure who to vote for? Answer a few questions and see which Columbus candidates agree with you, and why.
No sign-in. Your answers stay on your device. We never endorse anyone. Report an error
The race · Mayor
- 01Rob Busch
- 02Ron HanegraafYou’re reading
- 03Dave Povolny
Background
- About
- Retired 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.
- 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
Scott Wendell was appointed to the council seat Ron Hanegraaf left when he became mayor. City of Columbus · Jan 22, 2025
On the record: Ron Hanegraaf
15 sourced01City Hall4 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 his support for a new City Hall depends on building it without increasing the city's property tax levy.
Own statementCity of Columbus · Jun 24, 2026Link
Says he signed the citizen petition for a public vote on bonds for a new City Hall.
I was the only council member who signed that petition.”
Own statementForest Lake Times · Sep 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 taxes2 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
03Rural land use3 sourced positions
Voted no 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 yes 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 no 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 yes 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
Voted yes 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 yes 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
Says the city keeps permit fees low and works to speed up permit reviews.
We keep our permitting fees low (as compared to neighboring communities), and we try to continually improve our services to expedite review of permits.”
Own statementForest Lake Times · Sep 24, 2026Link
08Past candidacy1 sourced position
Ran for Mayor of Columbus 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
Ron Hanegraaf: their words and their votes on the same issue
City Hall
In their words
Said his support for a new City Hall depends on building it without increasing the city's property tax levy.
Jun 24, 2026 ·as recorded in the City Council minutes; not a direct quote ·City of Columbus · Jun 24, 2026
Says he signed the citizen petition for a public vote on bonds for a new City Hall.
Sep 24, 2026 ·Forest Lake Times · Sep 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
Match quiz · 2 minutes · no sign-in
See which Columbus candidates match you
Also on your Columbus ballot
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.