Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Osseo Mayor & City Council Election 2026
3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 6 candidates running. Updated Oct 21, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
Not sure who to vote for? Answer 4 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.
No sign-in. Your answers stay on your device. We never endorse anyone.
How to vote · 11 days left
Election Day (Nov 3): the election office's noticeThese 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.
Mayor
1 seatCity Council
Vote for up to 2- Margaret DunbarMarketing and communications professional who has volunteered on nonprofit boards.6sourced
- Sara J. GriesBiomedical engineer in medical device research and development who has lived in Osseo since 2013.7sourced
- Aj MansourMarketing strategist and creative consultant who has served two years on the Parks & Recreation Committee.3sourced
- Floyd SeresWorks in the construction industry for a local family-owned business.4sourced
Voters citywide elect a mayor and two council members; each voter can choose up to two council candidates.
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.
- Governor
- Amy Klobuchar · Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Lisa Demuth · Republican
- Steven Young · Green
- U.S. Senate
- Peggy Flanagan · Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Michele Tafoya · Republican
- Marisa Simonetti · Independent
- Rebecca Whiting · Libertarian
- Also statewideSecretary of State · State Auditor · Attorney General · Associate Justice - Supreme Court · Judge - Court of Appeals
- Statewide measures1 on the ballot: the state's official explanations
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.
- Mark CookCouncil Member; elected November 20244sourced
- Nick TorresCouncil Member; elected November 20246sourced
Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.
What the next council decides
01City-owned cannabis dispensary4 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city is renovating its building at 33 Second St. NE for the Osseo Press Room Dispensary and a brewery, financed with a $2.73 million bond.
What's on the tableHow the city-run dispensary opens and operates, and how its debt is paid if sales fall short.
- On June 22, 2026 the council took no action on tax abatement bonding for the dispensary after residents spoke against it. Osseo-Maple Grove Press · Jun 26, 2026
- Ehlers said the bonds would be general obligation bonds, so the city would use tax dollars or other revenues to cover any shortfall. Osseo-Maple Grove Press · Jun 26, 2026
- On July 13, 2026 the council approved tax abatement for up to $3 million for the project. Osseo-Maple Grove Press · Jul 14, 2026
- On July 27, 2026 the council voted 3-1 to sell $2.73 million in bonds to Park State Bank at 6.75% interest over 15 years. Osseo-Maple Grove Press · Jul 30, 2026
022027 budget and property tax levy2 sourced facts
Where it standsOn Sept. 28, 2026 the council approved a preliminary 2027 tax levy 7.62% higher than last year.
What's on the tableThe final 2027 budget and levy, which must be adopted by Dec. 31.
- The preliminary budget balances revenues and expenses at $5,087,375. Osseo-Maple Grove Press · Oct 6, 2026
- Local government aid is $682,000, up $2,100 from the current year. Osseo-Maple Grove Press · Oct 6, 2026
03Police department staffing and cost2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe preliminary 2027 budget includes a $406,374 increase for the police department.
What's on the tableHow many officers to fund in the 2027 budget.
- One of the biggest planned spending increases in the preliminary 2027 budget is $406,374 for the police department. Osseo-Maple Grove Press · Oct 6, 2026
- The preliminary budget approved in September 2025 included adding a new police officer. CCX Media · Sep 23, 2025
04Combined police chief and city administrator2 sourced facts
Where it standsPolice Chief Shane Mikkelson also serves as city administrator.
What's on the tableWhether to keep one person in both jobs or hire a separate city administrator.
- In September 2024 the council voted 4-1 to make the police chief's dual role as city administrator permanent. CCX Media · Sep 24, 2024
- Under the agreement, Mikkelson spends 55 percent of his time as police chief and 45 percent as city administrator. CCX Media · Sep 24, 2024
05Downtown business and redevelopment2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city-owned former Osseo Press building at 33 Second St. NE is being renovated for two tenants: the dispensary and a brewery.
What's on the tableWhat kinds of new business and redevelopment the city encourages.
- Heavy Rotation Brewery plans to move from Brooklyn Park to 33 Second St. NE. Osseo-Maple Grove Press · Oct 6, 2026
- The building plans include a new patio for the dispensary and a new parking lot. Osseo-Maple Grove Press · Jul 30, 2026
2 notes on these statements
No incumbents are on the ballot: Mayor Duane Poppe and Council Members Mark Schulz and Tom Hartkopf did not file. CCX Media
Two candidates are running for mayor (Carrie Kehn and Faith Neumann) and four for two council seats (Margaret Dunbar, Sara J. Gries, Aj Mansour and Floyd Seres). Minnesota Secretary of State
No sign-in · answers stay on your phone
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. What should Osseo do with the city-owned cannabis dispensary?
2. How many police officers should Osseo have?
3. Should one person serve as both police chief and city administrator?
4. How should Osseo approach new business downtown?
Key dates
- Early voting by absentee ballot, by mail or in person beginsMinnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Sep 18, 2026
- Pre-registration deadline for the General ElectionMinnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Oct 13, 2026
- Election DayMinnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Nov 3, 2026
The seat math
2 stay (not up this year): Mark Cook, Nick Torres3 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- The mayor serves a two-year term and council members serve four-year terms. Osseo-Maple Grove Press · Sep 17, 2026
- City Administrator Shane Mikkelson also serves as the city's police chief. CCX Media · Sep 23, 2025
Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
See something wrong? Report an error
Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.