Orono City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Jon
Schwingler
Jon Schwingler, the incumbent, is running for Orono City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 3 candidates are running for 2 seats.
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The race · City Council
- 01Maggie Arends
- 02Jon SchwinglerYou’re reading
- 03Scott Wellman
Background
- About
- Orono City Council member since May 2025 who served 11 years on the Orono Planning Commission. Before that he served on the Mound Planning Commission.
Maggie Arends, Jon Schwingler and Scott Wellman each answered the Laker Pioneer candidate questionnaire. Laker Pioneer · Sep 24, 2026
On the record: Jon Schwingler
7 sourced01Property taxes2 sourced positions
Voted yes on Resolution 7648 adopting the 2026 tax levy and Resolution 7649 adopting the 2026 General Fund budget (passed 5-0, Dec 2025).
Council voteCity of Orono · Jan 12, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Said rising property taxes concern nearly everyone in Orono and the city must watch every dollar and pursue grants as it builds the 2027 budget.
We need to watch every dollar and keep sharpening our pencils as we build the 2027 budget.”
Own statementLaker Pioneer · Sep 24, 2026Link
02Variances1 sourced position
Voted no on directing staff to prepare a denial of the 4680 North Shore Drive setback variance (failed 2-3), then moved to prepare an approval (passed 3-2, Dec 2025).
Council voteCity of Orono · Jan 12, 2026Link
03Growth and land use1 sourced position
Said he wants to balance responsible growth with preserving what makes Orono special.
Looking ahead, I want to keep building on that foundation—balancing responsible growth with preserving what makes Orono special, so residents continue to feel proud of and invested in their community for years to come.”
Own statementLaker Pioneer · Sep 24, 2026Link
04Data centers1 sourced position
Said Orono does not have the land for a data center and its land-use priorities are protecting neighborhoods and green space.
That reality shapes our approach: our land-use priorities are protecting neighborhoods and green space, not courting large industrial or energy-intensive development.”
Own statementLaker Pioneer · Sep 24, 2026Link
05City facilities1 sourced position
Moved to approve the Long Lake Rowing Crew's use of the former public works building and direct staff to negotiate final contract language (passed 5-0, Dec 2025).
Council voteCity of Orono · Jan 12, 2026Link
06Past candidacies1 sourced position
Ran for Orono City Council in a May 2025 special election (won).
Own statementCity of Orono · May 27, 2025Link
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