Empire City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Eric
Hanson
Eric Hanson, the incumbent, is running for Empire City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 3 candidates are running for 2 seats.
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The race · City Council
- 01Josh Gunderson
- 02Eric HansonYou’re reading
- 03Marla VagtsIncumbent
Background
- About
- Empire City Council member whose current term expires Dec. 31, 2026.
Eric Hanson and Marla Vagts did not submit answers to the Pioneer Press candidate questionnaire. Pioneer Press · Oct 5, 2026
Josh Gunderson, Eric Hanson and Marla Vagts had not responded to the VOTE411 questionnaire. League of Women Voters VOTE411
On the record: Eric Hanson
16 sourced01Mayor and council pay2 sourced positions
as summarized in the council minutes; not a direct quote
Said serving on the council in a small city is more of a volunteer opportunity and he is happy to serve at the current pay rate.
Own statementEmpire City Council minutes, Sept. 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026Link
Voted no on raising mayor and council pay to $300 a month in 2027 and $350 a month in 2028 (failed 2-2-1, Sept. 2026).
Council voteEmpire City Council minutes, Sept. 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026LinkHow the council voted
02Mayor's term2 sourced positions
as summarized in the council minutes; not a direct quote
Said the two-year mayoral term keeps three seats on the council up for renewal every two years, making it easier for residents to vote for sweeping changes.
Own statementEmpire City Council minutes, Sept. 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026Link
Voted no on making the mayor's term four years starting with the 2028 election (passed 3-2, Sept. 2026).
Council voteEmpire City Council minutes, Sept. 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026LinkHow the council voted
03Budget and levy2 sourced positions
Voted yes on Resolution 2026-9A, adopting the proposed tax levy collectable in 2027 (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
Council voteEmpire City Council minutes, Sept. 22, 2026 · Sep 22, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on Resolution 2025-12A, adopting the tax levy collectable in 2026 (passed 5-0, Dec. 2025).
Council voteEmpire City Council minutes, Dec. 9, 2025 · Dec 9, 2025LinkHow the council voted
04Water tower4 sourced positions
as summarized in the council minutes; not a direct quote
Said the city should not amend the budget to move up the water tower schedule.
Own statementEmpire City Council minutes, May 12, 2026 · May 12, 2026Link
as summarized in the council minutes; not a direct quote
Said the city should rely on data from developers before deciding to issue debt for the water tower.
Own statementEmpire City Council minutes, May 12, 2026 · May 12, 2026Link
Voted yes on Resolution 2026-1C, approving a minor subdivision and variance for the proposed water tower parcel (passed 5-0, Jan. 2026).
Council voteEmpire City Council minutes, Jan. 13, 2026 · Jan 13, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on moving forward with Bolton & Menk for the 2027 water tower rehabilitation project (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
Council voteEmpire City Council minutes, Sept. 22, 2026 · Sep 22, 2026LinkHow the council voted
05Growth and development2 sourced positions
as summarized in the council minutes; not a direct quote
Said he would like to focus residential growth in the AUAR area, not the area of the Siewert property concept plan.
Own statementEmpire City Council minutes, Aug. 18, 2026 · Aug 18, 2026Link
Voted yes on Resolution 2026-1B, adopting the Northwest Empire AUAR (passed 5-0, Jan. 2026).
Council voteEmpire City Council minutes, Jan. 13, 2026 · Jan 13, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06194th Street gate1 sourced position
as summarized in the council minutes; not a direct quote
Said he does not support removing the 194th Street emergency access gate and recommended the city find another way to address residents' concerns.
Own statementEmpire City Council minutes, Sept. 22, 2026 · Sep 22, 2026Link
07Staff pay study1 sourced position
Voted no on accepting Abdo's proposal for a position classification and compensation study (passed 4-1, Dec. 2025).
Council voteEmpire City Council minutes, Dec. 9, 2025 · Dec 9, 2025LinkHow the council voted
08Telecommunications tower1 sourced position
Voted yes on approving a site plan for co-location on an existing telecommunications tower, with the slatted fence left for a later zoning amendment (passed 3-1, Feb. 2026).
Council voteEmpire City Council minutes, Feb. 24, 2026 · Feb 24, 2026LinkHow the council voted
09Traffic safety1 sourced position
Voted yes on keeping the speed limit on 197th Street W. from Biscayne Ave. to State Highway 3 at 30 mph (passed 4-1, July 2025).
Council voteEmpire City Council minutes, July 22, 2025 · Jul 22, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Eric Hanson: their words and their votes on the same issue
Council pay
In their words
Said serving on the council in a small city is more of a volunteer opportunity and he is happy to serve at the current pay rate.
Sep 8, 2026 ·as summarized in the council minutes; not a direct quote ·Empire City Council minutes, Sept. 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026
On the record
Voted no on raising mayor and council pay to $300 a month in 2027 and $350 a month in 2028 (failed 2-2-1, Sept. 2026).
Sep 8, 2026 ·Empire City Council minutes, Sept. 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026
Mayor's term
In their words
Said the two-year mayoral term keeps three seats on the council up for renewal every two years, making it easier for residents to vote for sweeping changes.
Sep 8, 2026 ·as summarized in the council minutes; not a direct quote ·Empire City Council minutes, Sept. 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026
On the record
Voted no on making the mayor's term four years starting with the 2028 election (passed 3-2, Sept. 2026).
Sep 8, 2026 ·Empire City Council minutes, Sept. 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026
Water tower
In their words
Said the city should not amend the budget to move up the water tower schedule.
May 12, 2026 ·as summarized in the council minutes; not a direct quote ·Empire City Council minutes, May 12, 2026 · May 12, 2026
Said the city should rely on data from developers before deciding to issue debt for the water tower.
May 12, 2026 ·as summarized in the council minutes; not a direct quote ·Empire City Council minutes, May 12, 2026 · May 12, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on Resolution 2026-1C, approving a minor subdivision and variance for the proposed water tower parcel (passed 5-0, Jan. 2026).
Jan 13, 2026 ·Empire City Council minutes, Jan. 13, 2026 · Jan 13, 2026
Voted yes on moving forward with Bolton & Menk for the 2027 water tower rehabilitation project (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
Sep 22, 2026 ·Empire City Council minutes, Sept. 22, 2026 · Sep 22, 2026
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