Nisswa Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Jennifer
Carnahan
Jennifer Carnahan, the incumbent, is running for mayor of Nisswa in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Andy Schaefer.
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The race · Mayor
- 01Jennifer CarnahanYou’re reading
- 02Andy Schaefer
Background
- About
- Owner of two retail stores in downtown Nisswa and a former Fortune 500 marketing executive. She worked in marketing, strategy and general management at McDonald's, General Mills and Ecolab, and led the Republican Party of Minnesota from 2017 to 2021.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Nonpartisan
The official candidate list shows Jennifer Carnahan and Andy Schaefer for Mayor, and Bobbi Kochevar, Darel Murphy, John Ryan and Jesse Zahn for Council Member (Elect 2). Minnesota Secretary of State
On the record: Jennifer Carnahan
18 sourced01Past candidacies1 sourced position
Ran for Mayor of Nisswa in 2024 (won).
Own statementMinnesota Secretary of State · Nov 5, 2024Link
02Censure1 sourced position
as quoted by the Pine and Lakes Echo Journal
Said the council's resolution did not allege misconduct or establish a code of conduct violation.
the adoption of this resolution does not allege misconduct, does not establish any violation of the code of conduct”
Own statementPine and Lakes Echo Journal · Jan 27, 2026Link
03Property taxes2 sourced positions
Said the first answer to a tight budget should never be raising taxes, and that every department should look for cuts.
The first answer should never be "raise taxes."”
Own statementKAXE · Sep 28, 2026Link
Voted yes on the final 2026 tax levy of $3,721,786, a 0.28% decrease from the prior year (passed unanimously, Dec. 2025).
Council voteCity of Nisswa · Dec 16, 2025LinkHow the council voted
04Local sales tax2 sourced positions
as summarized in the council minutes; not a direct quote
Stated her opposition to imposing additional taxes on residents for park improvements, preferring fundraising, phased work and existing funds (Oct. 2025).
Own statementCity of Nisswa · Oct 21, 2025Link
Voted yes on rescinding the council's earlier approval of advancing a local option sales tax (passed unanimously, Dec. 2025).
Council voteCity of Nisswa · Dec 16, 2025LinkHow the council voted
05Economic development3 sourced positions
Says she supports development driven by private investment rather than city-led speculation.
I support development driven by private investment — not city-led speculation that puts taxpayer dollars at risk.”
Own statementJennifer Carnahan for Nisswa Mayor (campaign site)Link
Voted yes on directing the city attorney to draft a resolution for an Economic Development Authority (passed unanimously, Dec. 2025).
Council voteCity of Nisswa · Dec 16, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on the mayor's appointments to the new Economic Development Authority (passed 4-0, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Nisswa · Jul 21, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06Data centers1 sourced position
Said Nisswa has no space for data centers and the issue is not on the city's radar.
We don't have space for data centers in Nisswa and this is not on our radar at this point in time.”
Own statementKAXE · Sep 28, 2026Link
07THC sales1 sourced position
Voted yes on allowing the city liquor store, Spirits of Nisswa, to sell THC products (passed 4-1, Nov. 2025).
Council voteCity of Nisswa · Nov 18, 2025LinkHow the council voted
08Lake access3 sourced positions
Voted no on allowing Grand View Lodge one seasonal structure at the public access corridor from April to October (failed 2-3, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Nisswa · May 12, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted no on the planning director's full recommendation on Grand View Lodge's shed and barricades at the public access (failed 2-3, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Nisswa · May 19, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on keeping the city's barricades and signage at the Grand View Lodge public access as is (passed 5-0, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Nisswa · May 19, 2026LinkHow the council voted
09Roads1 sourced position
Voted yes on issuing $3,645,000 in general obligation street reconstruction bonds, Series 2026A (passed 5-0, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Nisswa · May 19, 2026LinkHow the council voted
10Liquor store lease2 sourced positions
Abstained on Option 2 for the Spirits liquor store lease, a new extension at $21.00 per square foot (failed 2-2, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Nisswa · May 19, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on making no changes to the Spirits liquor store lease (passed unanimously, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Nisswa · Jul 21, 2026LinkHow the council voted
11Consultants1 sourced position
Voted no on the Delaney Consulting statement of work extension (failed 2-2, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Nisswa · Jul 21, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Official records about Jennifer Carnahan
Censured by the City Council (passed 4-0, Jan. 2026).
Official actionPine and Lakes Echo Journal · Jan 27, 2026
Actions a court, a council or an ethics body took about this person, each linked to its record. They are not positions and are never used in the quiz. How this guide works
Jennifer Carnahan: their words and their votes on the same issue
Economic development
In their words
Says she supports development driven by private investment rather than city-led speculation.
On the record
Voted yes on directing the city attorney to draft a resolution for an Economic Development Authority (passed unanimously, Dec. 2025).
Dec 16, 2025 ·City of Nisswa · Dec 16, 2025
Voted yes on the mayor's appointments to the new Economic Development Authority (passed 4-0, July 2026).
Jul 21, 2026 ·City of Nisswa · Jul 21, 2026
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