Rochester City Council Ward 3 · Nov 3, 2026
Norman Wahl
Candidate for City Council Ward 3 (incumbent)
Norman Wahl, the incumbent, is running for Rochester City Council Ward 3 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against LaMar Hicks.
Pre-registration deadline (you can still register at the polls) · Tue, Oct 13, 2026
Ward 3 council member since 2023 and pastor emeritus of Bethel Lutheran Church. Chairs the council's Outside Agency Oversight Committee; served on the Kiester School Board (1990-1996).
- Campaign website
- www.normanwahl.com
Where Norman Wahl stands: positions on the record
Budget and taxes3 sourced positions
Voted yes on cutting the 2027 preliminary levy by $400,000 (failed 3-4), then yes on the $124.9 million preliminary levy (passed 6-1), Sept 2026.
Council voteCity of Rochester · Sep 21, 2026
Campaign site says a budget freeze is unrealistic without drastic service cuts.
“It is unrealistic to call for a freeze on the city budget unless one wants to drastically cut services.”
Own statementCampaign website (accessed Oct 2, 2026)
Voted yes on the 2026 budget and $118.3 million property tax levy (passed 6-1, Dec 2025).
Council voteCity of Rochester · Dec 1, 2025
Sports and recreation complex1 sourced position
Voted yes on the $28 million construction contract for the Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex (passed 5-2, Dec 2025).
Council voteCity of Rochester · Dec 8, 2025
Historic preservation2 sourced positions
Voted yes on overturning the denial of a certificate of appropriateness for an addition at 309-317 Broadway Avenue (passed 4-3, Aug 2026).
Council voteCity of Rochester · Aug 17, 2026
Said the approved South Broadway plan may be the best effort to save the facades and most of the buildings.
“I worry this might be the best effort to actually save the facades and two thirds of the buildings”
Own statementPost Bulletin · Aug 18, 2026
Immigration enforcement2 sourced positions
Voted yes on reaffirming Rochester as a compassionate city (passed 7-0) and no on directing the city attorney to coordinate amicus briefs on immigration enforcement (passed 4-3), Feb 2026.
Council voteCity of Rochester · Feb 2, 2026
Said joining the lawsuit-related effort went too far into partisan politics, while opposing federal enforcement tactics.
“We are not being well served by federal enforcement tactics that have largely failed the public good.”
Own statementPost Bulletin · Feb 2, 2026
Housing1 sourced position
Says the city does not build homes but approves policies that promote housing at all levels.
“The city doesn’t build homes. But the city can, and does, approve policies that promote housing at all levels.”
Own statementPost Bulletin candidate Q&A · Jun 5, 2026
Street design1 sourced position
Voted no on a two-way cycle track design for Elton Hills Dr NW (failed 3-4) and no on three lanes with parking on both sides (passed 6-1), July 2026.
Council voteCity of Rochester · Jul 20, 2026
Data centers1 sourced position
As reported by the Post Bulletin (LWV forum, Sept 29, 2026); not a direct quote unless quoted
Opposed construction of new data centers in the city at a candidate forum.
Forum answerPost Bulletin · Sep 29, 2026
Past candidacy1 sourced position
Ran for Council Member, Ward 3, in 2022 (won).
Own statementMinnesota Secretary of State · Nov 8, 2022
What Norman Wahl said vs. how Norman Wahl voted
Budget and taxes
In their words
Campaign site says a budget freeze is unrealistic without drastic service cuts.
On the record
Voted yes on the 2026 budget and $118.3 million property tax levy (passed 6-1, Dec 2025).
Dec 1, 2025 ·City of Rochester · Dec 1, 2025
Also running for City Council Ward 3
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