Hinckley Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Donald
Zeman
Donald Zeman, the incumbent, is running for mayor of Hinckley in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Matthew Vogel.
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The race · Mayor
- 01Matthew Vogel
- 02Donald ZemanYou’re reading
Background
- About
- Mayor of Hinckley, with a term that expires in 2026.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Nonpartisan
Donald Zeman and Matthew Vogel are running for Mayor. Minnesota Secretary of State
Donald Zeman defeated Matthew Vogel for Mayor in 2024, 336 votes to 262. Minnesota Secretary of State · Nov 5, 2024
On the record: Donald Zeman
16 sourced01Past candidacies1 sourced position
Ran for Mayor of Hinckley in 2024 as a nonpartisan candidate (won).
Council voteMinnesota Secretary of State · Nov 5, 2024Link
02Budget and taxes3 sourced positions
As summarized in the council minutes; not a direct quote
Pointed to Mike Bubany of David Drown's advice to continue with slight increases, given that projects are on the horizon.
Own statementCity of Hinckley · Dec 9, 2025Link
Voted yes on the 2026 budget and levy of $1,214,308, which kept the 48.34% tax rate (passed 5-0, Dec. 2025).
Council voteCity of Hinckley · Dec 9, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on the 2027 preliminary budget and levy of $1,343,446 (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
Council voteCity of Hinckley · Sep 8, 2026LinkHow the council voted
03Apartment development3 sourced positions
As summarized in the council minutes; not a direct quote
Said he believes the Commonwealth housing project could benefit the community.
Own statementCity of Hinckley · Jan 14, 2025Link
Voted yes on Resolution 19-2025 supporting Commonwealth's tax credit application for a 44-unit development (passed 5-0, May 2025).
Council voteCity of Hinckley · May 13, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on the Preliminary Development Agreement and First Amendment with Commonwealth Real Estate Acquisitions (passed 5-0, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Hinckley · May 12, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04Fire service2 sourced positions
Voted yes on continuing to meet with the State Fire Marshal's Office, Sandstone and Pine City about fire services (passed 5-0, Sept. 2025).
Council voteCity of Hinckley · Sep 9, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on applying for a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant to replace a pumper (passed 5-0, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Hinckley · Jun 9, 2026LinkHow the council voted
05Housing study1 sourced position
Voted yes on accepting Maxfield Research's $17,000 Housing Needs Analysis proposal (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
Council voteCity of Hinckley · Sep 8, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06Firehouse Liquor1 sourced position
Voted yes on the $188,457.61 bid from Winberg Companies for the liquor store parking lot (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
Council voteCity of Hinckley · Sep 24, 2026LinkHow the council voted
07Water and sewer rates1 sourced position
Voted yes on the 2026 fee schedule, which included a 1% increase for water and 2% for sewer charges (passed 5-0, Jan. 2026).
Council voteCity of Hinckley · Jan 13, 2026LinkHow the council voted
08Sheriff contract1 sourced position
Voted yes on creating a committee to work on the Pine County Sheriff's contract renewal (passed 5-0, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Hinckley · Jun 9, 2026LinkHow the council voted
09Housing rehabilitation1 sourced position
Voted yes on applying to the 2026 Small Cities Development Program to rehabilitate owner-occupied homes (passed 5-0, March 2026).
Council voteCity of Hinckley · Mar 10, 2026LinkHow the council voted
10Street safety1 sourced position
Voted yes on applying for a USDOT Safe Streets for All grant to develop a safety action plan (passed 5-0, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Hinckley · May 12, 2026LinkHow the council voted
11City contracts1 sourced position
Voted yes on the Schooley Mitchell savings evaluation contract motion (passed 4-1, Sept. 2025).
Council voteCity of Hinckley · Sep 9, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Donald Zeman: their words and their votes on the same issue
Budget and taxes
In their words
Pointed to Mike Bubany of David Drown's advice to continue with slight increases, given that projects are on the horizon.
Dec 9, 2025 ·As summarized in the council minutes; not a direct quote ·City of Hinckley · Dec 9, 2025
On the record
Voted yes on the 2027 preliminary budget and levy of $1,343,446 (passed 5-0, Sept. 2026).
Sep 8, 2026 ·City of Hinckley · Sep 8, 2026
Apartments
In their words
Said he believes the Commonwealth housing project could benefit the community.
Jan 14, 2025 ·As summarized in the council minutes; not a direct quote ·City of Hinckley · Jan 14, 2025
On the record
Voted yes on Resolution 19-2025 supporting Commonwealth's tax credit application for a 44-unit development (passed 5-0, May 2025).
May 13, 2025 ·City of Hinckley · May 13, 2025
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