Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Coon Rapids Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 7

council seats up

3 contests

6 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Mayor · 1 seat

Pat CarlsonCouncilmember At Large; term ends December 31, 20288sourced
Thuba NguyenEarly childhood education specialist and published children's book author. Describes herself as a community leader.5sourced

City Council Ward 3 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 5 · 1 seat

Three of the seven council seats are on this ballot: Mayor (Pat Carlson vs. Thuba Nguyen), Ward 3 (Sean Novack vs. Jean Wayne) and Ward 5 (Brian Armstrong vs. Thomas Huling). Voters in Ward 3 and Ward 5 each select their ward's councilmember.

4 notes on these statements

Mayor Jerry Koch did not seek re-election, so the mayor's seat is open. ABC Newspapers · Oct 2, 2026

Jim Shegstad finished third in the Aug 11 mayor primary and is not on the November ballot. City of Coon Rapids · Aug 12, 2026

At the League of Women Voters Ward 3 forum, Jean Wayne participated and Sean Novack was unable to attend but submitted a written statement. League of Women Voters Anoka Blaine Coon Rapids Area: 2026 Candidate Forums

Jean Wayne did not fill out the ABC Newspapers voters guide questionnaire. ABC Newspapers · Oct 2, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Peter ButlerCouncilmember, Ward 2; term ends December 31, 20282sourced Christopher GeislerCouncilmember, Ward 4; term ends December 31, 20283sourced Brad GreskowiakCouncilmember, Ward 1; term ends December 31, 20284sourced

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesHousing density at Balfany Farms, Property taxes and the 2027 budget, License plate reader cameras Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Pre-registration deadline (you can still register at the polls)

Tue, Oct 13, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Housing density at Balfany Farms

Where it standsIn February 2026 the council rejected the Balfany Farms development 3-4 without an HOA condition, then approved it unanimously with one.

What's on the tableHow far the council lets new single-family developments depart from standard zoning, and whether it requires homeowners associations.

Mayor Koch said the LDR-3 zoning district would allow only about 23 homes on the site. City Council minutes, Feb 2, 2026 · Feb 2, 2026
The approved development included a park dedication fee of $72,500, or $2,500 per lot for 29 lots. City Council minutes, Feb 17, 2026 · Feb 17, 2026
The developer said an HOA would add about $250 per month for each home. City Council minutes, Feb 17, 2026 · Feb 17, 2026
Councilmember Greskowiak said the houses would be in the price range of $420,000 to $460,000. City Council minutes, Feb 17, 2026 · Feb 17, 2026

Property taxes and the 2027 budget

Where it standsThe city's proposed 2027 budget would raise the total tax levy 6.9% to about $44.1 million.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and budget, including how much of the increase supports existing services.

The proposed 2027 total tax levy is $44,136,278, up 6.9% from 2026. City of Coon Rapids
The proposed 2027 general fund levy is $34,882,449, up 7.1% from 2026. City of Coon Rapids
The proposed 2027 general fund budget is $48,303,959, up 5.4% from the 2026 adopted budget. City of Coon Rapids
The proposal includes $4,800,000 for street reconstruction to replace 4-5 miles of deteriorating roads. City of Coon Rapids

License plate reader cameras

Where it standsResidents have raised concerns about the city's Flock cameras and a proposed county expansion at 2026 council meetings.

What's on the tableWhether and under what data-sharing, audit and public-input rules city police use the cameras.

In January 2026 a resident asked the council whether ICE has access to the City's Flock system. City Council minutes, Jan 20, 2026 · Jan 20, 2026
In May 2026 a resident urged the council to pause expansion of license plate readers, Flock cameras and drone technology discussed at an Anoka County work session. City Council minutes, May 5, 2026 · May 5, 2026
Mayor Koch summarized the city's response to a resident's concerns about the City's use of Flock cameras and related data collection practices. City Council minutes, May 5, 2026 · May 5, 2026

Street reconstruction and the 110th Avenue sidewalk

Where it standsThe council ordered the 2026 street reconstruction unanimously in February, with the 110th Avenue sidewalk kept as a possible bid item, and adopted the assessments in May.

What's on the tableWhich streets are rebuilt, how much is assessed to property owners, and whether sidewalks are added to reconstruction projects.

City staff estimated that two or three dozen trees would need to be removed for the project. City Council minutes, Feb 17, 2026 · Feb 17, 2026
Mayor Koch said the 110th sidewalk could be listed as a possibility on the bid so the council could choose between the full project and the project without it. City Council minutes, Feb 17, 2026 · Feb 17, 2026
The City Attorney said a supermajority of six of seven councilmembers was required for the vote. City Council minutes, Feb 17, 2026 · Feb 17, 2026
Mayor Koch said that if property owners take no action on their assessment, the amount is added to their property taxes and paid over 10 years. City Council minutes, May 5, 2026 · May 5, 2026

The TH 610 and East River Road interchange

Where it standsThe council has approved final design work and property acquisitions for the interchange, each unanimously, in 2026.

What's on the tableFunding, property acquisition and construction decisions as the project moves forward.

In February 2026 the council approved a $329,001 engagement with TKDA to finalize design of the interchange (unanimous). City Council minutes, Feb 2, 2026 · Feb 2, 2026
Councilmember Novack said the item is intended to allow access to eastbound Highway 10. City Council minutes, Feb 2, 2026 · Feb 2, 2026
In April 2026 the council adopted Resolution 26-54 authorizing easement and fee acquisitions for the project (unanimous). City Council minutes, Apr 7, 2026 · Apr 7, 2026

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. A developer sought approval for 29 single-family lots where the zoning would allow about 23. Where do you stand?
2. Street reconstruction plans included a new sidewalk on 110th Avenue. What should the city do?
3. Coon Rapids police use license plate reader cameras. What should the city do?
4. Which approach to new housing is closest to yours?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Early voting begins (absentee ballots, 46 days before Election Day)Minnesota Secretary of StateSep 18, 2026
Pre-registration deadline (you can still register at the polls)Minnesota Secretary of StateOct 13, 2026
Direct balloting into a ballot counter begins at Coon Rapids City HallCity of Coon RapidsOct 16, 2026
Election DayMinnesota Secretary of StateNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Peter Butler, Christopher Geisler, Brad Greskowiak3 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The council is a mayor and six councilmembers who serve staggered four-year terms, with elections in even-numbered years. City of Coon Rapids
The council has one member for each of five wards and one at-large member, in addition to the mayor. City of Coon Rapids
The mayor votes on council items; Mayor Koch is recorded voting nay on a Feb 17, 2026 motion. City Council minutes, Feb 17, 2026 · Feb 17, 2026
Four councilmembers constitute a quorum, and a majority vote of the council is needed to approve most motions. City of Coon Rapids
The 2026 city offices to be elected are Mayor, Councilmember Ward 3 and Councilmember Ward 5, all for four-year terms. City of Coon Rapids
Mayor primary on Aug 11, 2026: Pat Carlson received 5,853 votes (60.14%), Thuba Nguyen 2,355 (24.20%) and Jim Shegstad 1,524 (15.66%). City of Coon Rapids · Aug 12, 2026

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