Isanti Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Luke
Merrill
Luke Merrill, the incumbent, is running for mayor of Isanti in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Christopher Brooks.
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The race · Mayor
- 01Christopher Brooks
- 02Luke MerrillYou’re reading
Background
- About
- Mayor of Isanti and lifelong Isanti resident, first elected to the City Council in 2022. He was elected mayor in 2025.
- Party
- Endorsed by the Isanti County Republican Party. Merrill for MayorCity issues often split differently from national party lines. Compare their positions.
- Endorsed by
- Isanti County Republican Party; Jimmy Gordon; Nate George; Nick Pedersen; George Hemen Merrill for Mayor
- Campaign website
- www.lukejmerrill.com
Four candidates ran for mayor in the August 11 primary. Luke Merrill and Christopher Brooks advanced; Jeff Johnson and Joshua Lehn did not. County News Review · Aug 11, 2026
Erika Zdon was appointed to a vacant council seat in March 2026 after a 2-2 council ballot; Mayor Luke Merrill cast the tie-breaking vote. Isanti City Council minutes, March 17, 2026 · Mar 17, 2026
Council members Nick Pedersen and George Hemen are listed as endorsers on Luke Merrill's campaign website. Merrill for Mayor
On the record: Luke Merrill
13 sourced01Property tax levy2 sourced positions
Seconded and voted for a 3.95% preliminary property tax levy increase for 2027, an amended version of staff's Version 3 (passed 3-1, September 2026).
Council voteIsanti City Council minutes, September 15, 2026 · Sep 15, 2026LinkHow the council voted
As summarized in the official council minutes; not a direct quote
Supported a 3.95% levy increase, citing inflation and the county's valuation increase, and called it a middle ground between staff's recommendation and deeper cuts.
Own statementIsanti City Council minutes, September 15, 2026 · Sep 15, 2026Link
02Use of reserves1 sourced position
Voted for the final 2026 levy option with a 0% levy increase, using $395,000 of fund balance (motion carried, December 2025).
Council voteIsanti City Council minutes, December 16, 2025 · Dec 16, 2025LinkHow the council voted
03Data centers2 sourced positions
Moved and voted for a 30-month moratorium on data center developments (passed 4-1, July 2026).
Council voteIsanti City Council minutes, July 7, 2026 · Jul 7, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Seconded and voted for Ordinance 847, an interim ordinance imposing a moratorium on data center development while the city studies it (passed 4-0, September 2026).
Council voteIsanti City Council minutes, September 15, 2026 · Sep 15, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04Wastewater capacity1 sourced position
Moved to authorize the next phase of the wastewater treatment facility plan after population and flow projections were presented (passed 3-0, July 2026).
Council voteIsanti City Council minutes, July 21, 2026 · Jul 21, 2026Link
05Park funding1 sourced position
Lists long-term park fundraising for park maintenance among his goals.
Long-term park fundraising for better, tax-free, park maintenence.”
Own statementMerrill for MayorLink
06Business incentives1 sourced position
Lists market-driven business growth without taxpayer-funded subsidies or tax breaks among his goals.
Promote market driven business growth. No taxpayer funded subsidies or tax breaks.”
Own statementMerrill for MayorLink
07City debt1 sourced position
Says the city has worked to eliminate and avoid debt while planning infrastructure decades ahead.
We have been methodical in eliminating and avoiding debt, planning & budgeting 40 years of infrastructure and fundraising to cover park expenses.”
Own statementCounty News Review Voter's Guide · Oct 5, 2026Link
08Municipal cannabis dispensary1 sourced position
Moved to apply for a state permit for a city-run cannabis dispensary; the motion failed for lack of a second (February 2025).
Council voteIsanti City Council minutes, February 4, 2025 · Feb 4, 2025Link
09Employee firearms policy2 sourced positions
Voted no on the motion to revoke the personnel policy language barring employees legally in possession of a firearm on city property (failed 2-3, September 2025).
Council voteIsanti City Council minutes, September 2, 2025 · Sep 2, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted for the employee carry policy change (passed 4-1, November 2025).
Council voteIsanti City Council minutes, November 18, 2025 · Nov 18, 2025LinkHow the council voted
10Paid leave contributions1 sourced position
Voted no on Resolution 2025-165 setting the employer and employee percentages under the Minnesota Paid Leave law (passed 4-1, November 2025).
Council voteIsanti City Council minutes, November 18, 2025 · Nov 18, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Luke Merrill: their words and their votes on the same issue
Levy increase
In their words
Supported a 3.95% levy increase, citing inflation and the county's valuation increase, and called it a middle ground between staff's recommendation and deeper cuts.
Sep 15, 2026 ·As summarized in the official council minutes; not a direct quote ·Isanti City Council minutes, September 15, 2026 · Sep 15, 2026
On the record
Seconded and voted for a 3.95% preliminary property tax levy increase for 2027, an amended version of staff's Version 3 (passed 3-1, September 2026).
Sep 15, 2026 ·Isanti City Council minutes, September 15, 2026 · Sep 15, 2026
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