Ramsey, MNVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Ramsey City Council Election 2026

3 of 7

council seats up

3 contests

5 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council At-Large · 1 seat

City Council Ward 1 · Unopposed

City Council Ward 3 · 1 seat

Three of the seven council seats are on the ballot: one at-large seat with two candidates, Ward 1 with one candidate, and Ward 3 with two candidates. The mayor is not on the 2026 ballot.

4 notes on these statements

Chris Riley holds the at-large seat now and did not seek re-election. ABC Newspapers

Nate Truesdell is running unopposed in Ward 1; the seat is presently held by Michael Olson. City of Ramsey

Debra Musgrove and Kelly Muchowski advanced from the August 11 primary for the at-large seat, defeating Justin Dahl. ABC Newspapers

Victor Jumah did not respond to the ABC Newspapers voter guide questionnaire by the deadline. ABC Newspapers

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Kirsten BuscherCouncilmember, At-Large; term ends January 20292sourcedRyan HeinemanMayor; term ends January 20292sourcedEric PetersCouncilmember, Ward 2; term ends January 2029bio onlyShanna StewartCouncilmember, Ward 4; term ends January 2029bio only

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesProperty tax levy and city budget, License plate reader cameras, Parks and the Waterfront Waterplay ParkKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

In-person early voting begins

Fri, Oct 16, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Property tax levy and city budget

Where it standsOn Sept. 22, 2026 the council approved a proposed 2027 levy of $24,769,454 on a 4-3 vote; the final budget is due Dec. 8, 2026.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and general fund budget, including staffing and equipment spending.

License plate reader cameras

Where it standsThe ABC Newspapers 2026 voter guide asked the at-large and Ward 3 candidates about automated license plate readers.

What's on the tableWhether and how automated license plate readers are used by Ramsey law enforcement.

  • Council Member Dan Specht wrote that Ramsey keeps license plate reader data for seven days and that access is audited regularly. ABC Newspapers
  • Debra Musgrove's answer says state law, Minnesota Statutes Section 13.824, governs data collection, classification, retention and auditing for law enforcement agencies. ABC Newspapers

Parks and the Waterfront Waterplay Park

Where it standsThe council approved a $3.6 million contract amendment for the 16-acre Waterfront Waterplay Park, with construction to begin immediately.

What's on the tableFuture park investments funded by park dedication fees and the city budget.

  • The contract with H & U Construction has a guaranteed maximum price of $3,624,184 and fully funds the project. ABC Newspapers
  • Park dedication fees from private development are funding the project. ABC Newspapers

Growth, roads and the Highway 10 bridge

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026-2035 capital improvement plan unanimously in December 2025; it does not approve any specific project.

What's on the tableSeparate council votes on each capital project in the plan, including a proposed $7 million bridge over Highway 10.

  • The plan includes potential improvements to streets, parks, utilities, buildings and equipment, and each capital project requires separate council action. ABC Newspapers
  • Council Member Dan Specht said he opposes a proposed $7 million bridge over Highway 10 but supported adopting the plan. ABC Newspapers

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. 1. How should Ramsey handle the property tax levy?

  2. 2. Should Ramsey use automated license plate reader cameras?

  3. 3. How should Ramsey approach new development?

  4. 4. How much should Ramsey invest in new park amenities?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Kirsten Buscher, Ryan Heineman, Eric Peters, Shanna Stewart3 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

  • The council has a mayor, two at-large members and four ward members. The mayor and the two at-large members are elected citywide; the others are elected within wards. City of Ramsey
  • Mayor and council terms are four years, with elections held in even-numbered years. City of Ramsey
  • The seats open in 2026 are Councilmember At-Large, Councilmember Ward 1 and Councilmember Ward 3. City of Ramsey · Aug 25, 2026
  • The mayor presides at council meetings. City of Ramsey

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