HibbingNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Hibbing Mayor & City Council Election 2026

4 of 7 council seats are on the ballot, with 7 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 12 days left

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These links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.

The candidates

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

Voters citywide choose the mayor and the at-large councilor; Ward 1 and Ward 2 are chosen by their wards. Each contest fills one seat.

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Also on your Nov 3 ballot

We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.

Official voter lookupState voter guideVote411 (League of Women Voters)

Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

What the next council decides

01Former Hibbing Electronics property3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council voted 4-3 on June 3, 2026 to reject a motion to halt action on the property until a new community development director is hired, and went into closed session on negotiations.

What's on the tableWhether and on what terms the city sells or redevelops the property at 3215 E. 14th Ave.

  • The city's redevelopment solicitation, issued in December 2025, said proposals would be evaluated on community impact, economic development benefits, financial strength and consistency with Hibbing's comprehensive plan. Mesabi Tribune
  • A local business owner urged the council to reconsider its decision to negotiate with another developer for the property. Mesabi Tribune
  • Mayor Pete Hyduke noted the city's goal of recovering its investment in the property. Mesabi Tribune
022027 property tax levy and the airport3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council kept the preliminary city levy increase at 9.99% over last year after revising its resolutions at a special meeting in September 2026; final levies are adopted in December.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 city levy and Hibbing's share of the Chisholm Hibbing Airport Authority levy.

  • The city's approved preliminary levy resolutions consist of HRA $100,000, Airport $870,260 and City $12,300,536. Mesabi Tribune
  • A vacant position was removed from the city budget in the amount of $148,805 to offset the increase made to the airport's levy resolution. Mesabi Tribune
  • Hibbing and Chisholm continue to work on reducing their respective levies between now and December, when final levies will be adopted. Mesabi Tribune
03Water infrastructure financing2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council approved a resolution supporting a $9.2 million Minnesota Public Facilities Authority financing application for water improvements at its June 3, 2026 meeting.

What's on the tableHow much more the city and its utility borrow for water main replacement and other projects.

  • About $5.1 million of the $9.2 million would reimburse 2025 projects, and another $4.1 million would support projects now underway. Mesabi Tribune
  • The utility has approximately $18.9 million in outstanding Public Facilities Authority debt at an average interest rate of about 2%. Mesabi Tribune
04Jobs, economic development and data centers2 sourced facts

Where it standsHibbing has seen layoffs at Hibbing Taconite and Triumph Twist Drill, and the city is hiring a new community development director.

What's on the tableHow the city recruits and supports employers and whether it welcomes large projects such as data centers.

  • About 600 steelworkers were laid off in March 2025 as Cleveland-Cliffs idled operations at Hibbing Taconite Co. and Minorca Mine, and those jobs have not yet returned. KAXE · Aug 12, 2026
  • KAXE's election guide asked each candidate what steps they would take to support or oppose data centers. KAXE · Sep 28, 2026
3 notes on these statements

Jay Hildenbrand is the current Ward 2 councilor and is not running for reelection. KAXE · Sep 28, 2026

James Bayliss is the only candidate who filed for Ward 1. Minnesota Secretary of State

Peter Hyduke declined KAXE's invitation to take part in its election guide. KAXE · Sep 28, 2026

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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. 1. Should Hibbing allow data centers?

  2. 2. What should the council do about negotiations on the former Hibbing Electronics property?

  3. 3. The preliminary 2027 city levy rises 9.99%. What should the council do before it is final?

  4. 4. How should Hibbing staff economic development?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.On the recordHow the council voted1 council decision, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.New · How Hibbing is runWho runs Hibbing, and what it costsWho the city manager is, council pay, whether the city is in the red, and where your property tax goes.

Key dates

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Jennifer Hoffman Saccoman, John Schweiberger, Chris Whitney4 on this ballot

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

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