Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Rice Mayor & City Council Election 2026
3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 21, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
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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
UnopposedCity Council
Vote for up to 2- Andrew DukeDirector of Operations for a technology company, with more than 20 years in leadership and management.7sourced
- Paula K. KampaIncumbentRice City Council member who has worked in the insurance business as an agency owner for 35 years.7sourced
- Kenneth NodoIncumbentRice City Council member who has also served on the Rice Park Board and as mayor.5sourced
Voters elect a mayor and two council members on Nov. 3, 2026. Mayor Brian Skroch is unopposed. Council members Chris Scheel and Jacqulyn Janski, elected in 2024, are not on the ballot.
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.
What the next council decides
01Water supply and a new well4 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council enacted a watering ban at its July 20, 2026 meeting, and the city is still working to add a new well.
What's on the tableWhere and how to add a new well, and how long to keep water-use limits in place.
- No residents or businesses may use more than 250 gallons of water per hour until further notice. Benton County Herald · Jul 21, 2026
- The city uses about 100,000 gallons a day in winter and was using about 600,000 gallons a day in summer 2026. Benton County Herald · Jul 21, 2026
- In 2017 the city was allotted 75 million gallons of water per year, based on a predicted population of about 1,500. Benton County Herald · Jul 21, 2026
- In March 2024 the council approved a $300,000 grant agreement with Benton County, from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, to help drill a new well. WJON · Mar 19, 2024
02Data center moratorium3 sourced facts
Where it standsWJON reported that the council would vote on Sept. 21, 2026 on a one-year interim ordinance on data centers and a study.
What's on the tableWhat zoning rules, if any, the city sets for data centers.
- The interim ordinance would prohibit the establishment, construction or expansion of data centers in the city for one year. WJON · Sep 19, 2026
- The Planning Commission would study data centers as a land use, their impact on other communities and the rules those cities adopted. WJON · Sep 19, 2026
- The ordinance could end early if the zoning ordinance is amended for data centers or the council passes a resolution ending it. WJON · Sep 19, 2026
03Streets and taxes2 sourced facts
Where it standsCandidates told the Benton County Herald how they would pay for roads and infrastructure without large tax increases.
What's on the tableHow to fund street repairs: taxes, grants, or savings elsewhere in the budget.
- Kenneth Nodo said most city streets are in serious disrepair. Benton County Herald · Sep 26, 2026
- Paula K. Kampa said the council should seek grants and manage existing resources before considering tax increases. Benton County Herald · Sep 26, 2026
04Growth2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city of Rice reports a population of 2,204 and about 775 households.
What's on the tableHow to plan roads, water and other services for new residents and development.
- The City of Rice lists its current population as 2,204 with a household estimate of 775. City of Rice
- An August 2025 study put the Rice population at 2,163 residents, with growth expected. Benton County Herald · Jul 21, 2026
1 note on these statements
Incumbents Paula Kampa and Kenneth Nodo are being challenged by Andrew Duke for two council seats. Benton County Herald · Sep 26, 2026
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. How much priority should the council give to finding new water supply?
2. Should the city raise taxes to repair streets and infrastructure?
3. How should Rice handle population growth?
4. Should new development pay its share of long-term city costs?
Key dates
- Candidate filing period closedMinnesota Secretary of StateJul 28, 2026
- Early voting begins (absentee, by mail or in person)Minnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Sep 18, 2026
- Pre-registration deadline (you can still register at the polls)Minnesota 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): Jacqulyn Janski, Chris Scheel3 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- Rice is a fourth-class, Statutory Plan A city; the City Council is responsible for all policy and administrative matters. City of Rice
- The Rice City Council has five members, including a seat for the mayor. Benton County Herald · Sep 26, 2026
- Two four-year council terms are open in this election. Benton County Herald · Sep 26, 2026
- The Nov. 3, 2026 ballot lists Mayor and two Council Member seats. Minnesota Secretary of State
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