Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Faribault City Council Election 2026

3 of 7

council seats up

Vote for up to 3

6 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

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

City Council · Vote for up to 3

Kameron GustafsonKameron Gustafson serves on the Faribault Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. She is moving into a financial cost analyst role at Faribault Foods.3sourced
Natalie HalversonNatalie Halverson is a public health supervisor in Scott County who has lived in Faribault since 1999. She has also served as a health educator for Rice County and as a regional director at the Faribault Medical Center.3sourced
Katie HowardKatie Howard is a senior project manager with Hennepin County.3sourced
John RowanIncumbentJohn Rowan is a Faribault council member and owner of the downtown store Geek Central. He is also deputy director of emergency management for the county.6sourced
Lexi TempleLexi Temple lists her profession as healthcare administration in a Ballotpedia candidate survey.3sourced
Paul WunderlichPaul Wunderlich is a Workday project manager and a Minnesota State University, Mankato alumnus.3sourced

Faribault voters elect three council members this November, choosing up to three of six candidates who advanced from the August primary.

2 notes on these statements

Kymn Anderson was appointed to the seat vacated by Council Member Adama Doumbouya's resignation and is expected to serve until a successor is sworn in in January. Faribault Daily News

Jack Cluck, Thelma Estrada, Brett Pollard and Jacob Reed did not advance to the general election. Faribault Daily News

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Mandy Barnes3sourced Royal Ross3sourced Tom SpoonerTom Spooner is the mayor of Faribault, elected by voters in November 2024.2sourced Chuck Thiele3sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesArcher data center, Housing and emergency rental aid, Faribault Medical Center and the Allina-Sutter merger 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

Archer data center

Where it standsA court ruling found the environmental review of Archer Datacenters' Faribault campus lacked information; in July 2026 the council gave Archer until March 31, 2027 to update it.

What's on the tableWhether to require a full environmental impact statement after the update, and what performance standards data centers must meet.

The council voted on Aug. 12, 2025 to approve the project's Environmental Assessment Worksheet. Faribault Daily News
On July 14, 2026 the council approved Resolution 2026-206 postponing the decision on an environmental impact statement and directing Archer to provide more information. Faribault City Council minutes, Jul 14, 2026 · Jul 14, 2026
The same night the council approved Resolution 2026-207 authorizing development of performance standards for data centers. Faribault City Council minutes, Jul 14, 2026 · Jul 14, 2026
Council Member Mandy Barnes said the original review process was not detailed enough and asked that the Environmental Commission take part in the standards review. Faribault Daily News

Housing and emergency rental aid

Where it standsIn February 2026 the council declined a $50,000 request from the Community Action Center for emergency rental assistance; the Faribault HRA later approved the transfer.

What's on the tableHow the city uses housing funds and whether zoning rules change to allow smaller lots and more starter homes.

The funds would have come from State Affordable Housing Aid, and the council declined the request on Feb. 17, 2026. Faribault Daily News
The Faribault Housing and Redevelopment Authority approved the transfer after the CAC returned a third time, at a March 9 meeting. Faribault Daily News

Faribault Medical Center and the Allina-Sutter merger

Where it standsAllina Health's Faribault Medical Center could become part of Sutter Health's network if a proposed merger with Allina goes ahead.

What's on the tableHow the city works with the hospital and state leaders to keep healthcare access in Faribault.

Allina Health Faribault Medical Center is potentially soon to be part of Sutter Health's network of hospitals after a potential merger with Allina. Faribault Daily News
Candidate Natalie Halverson said the closing of Faribault's birthing center was already putting a strain on the community. Faribault Daily News

Parks, trails and a community center

Where it standsThe council is moving ahead on Viaduct Park Phase 2, a replacement trail bridge and a community center feasibility study.

What's on the tableWhich large capital projects to fund, how to pay for them and whether voters weigh in.

On Feb. 10, 2026 the council approved plans and a bid date for the Deer Pedestrian Bridge replacement, estimated at $604,056 with $100,000 from a DNR grant, by a 5-1 vote. Faribault City Council minutes, Feb 10, 2026 · Feb 10, 2026
The council approved a $79,000 contract with HGA for a community center feasibility study on Feb. 10, 2026. Faribault City Council minutes, Feb 10, 2026 · Feb 10, 2026
On Jan. 27, 2026 the council approved a $118,060 architecture contract with HCM Architects for Viaduct Park Phase 2. Faribault City Council minutes, Jan 27, 2026 · Jan 27, 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. The Archer data center campus is under environmental review. Where do you stand?
2. How should the city encourage more starter homes?
3. Should the city put housing aid funds toward emergency rental assistance?
4. How should the city respond to the hospital's possible merger?
5. Who should approve large city capital projects?

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, by mail or in person)Minnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Sep 18, 2026
Pre-registration deadline (you can still register at the polls)Minnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Oct 13, 2026
Election DayMinnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Mandy Barnes, Royal Ross, Tom Spooner, Chuck Thiele3 on this ballot

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

The Nov. 3, 2026 election fills three Faribault City Council seats. Minnesota Secretary of State
Six candidates advanced from the Aug. 11 primary to the general election. Faribault Daily News

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.