Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Shakopee Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

8 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.

Mayor · 1 seat

City Council · Vote for up to 2

Jim DuLaneyIncumbentCouncilor; term expires December 31, 20266sourced
Carter McNewMechanical engineer who is vice president and finance chair of the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District.3sourced
Mustafa SandhuVice Chair of the Shakopee Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment and Appeals, and a local business owner.3sourced
Brendan VanAlstyneIndependent contractor and field technician in IT whose family moved to Shakopee in 2014.3sourced
Ali VerneyUnion contract negotiator with college coursework in accounting, mathematics and business management.3sourced

Voters choose the mayor, and each voter can vote for two council candidates; the top two finishers citywide win.

4 notes on these statements

Angelica Contreras's council term expires December 31, 2026. City of Shakopee

Angelica Contreras is on the ballot for Mayor, not for a council seat. City of Shakopee

Matt Lehman's term as Mayor and Jim DuLaney's council term both expire December 31, 2026. City of Shakopee

Shakopee's city filing notice lists the Mayor and two council member seats as the offices to be filled in 2026, each a four-year term starting January 1, 2027. City of Shakopee · Jun 25, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Jesse LaraCouncilor; term expires December 31, 20283sourced Jay WhitingCouncilor; term expires December 31, 20284sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decides2027 property tax levy, Tax increment financing and development incentives, Flock license plate reader cameras Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Early voting begins at Shakopee City Hall

Fri, Oct 16, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

2027 property tax levy

Where it standsA staff memo dated Sept. 15, 2026 proposes a 2027 city levy of $30,148,320, up 6.85%; the council adopts the final levy in December.

What's on the tableHow large the final 2027 levy increase will be and what services it funds.

The staff memo shows a 2027 total city levy of $30,148,320, up $1,933,840 or 6.85% from 2026. City of Shakopee · Sep 15, 2026
The memo attributes $975,530 (3.46%) of the levy increase to the Fire Department's move to 24/7 staffing and $958,310 (3.40%) to other general fund operations. City of Shakopee · Sep 15, 2026
The memo estimates the median-value home would pay $52, or 5.2 percent, more in city property taxes. City of Shakopee · Sep 15, 2026
The memo schedules adoption of the final tax levy and budget for December 15, 2026. City of Shakopee · Sep 15, 2026

Tax increment financing and development incentives

Where it standsThe council approved a TIF plan for District No. 22 (soil deficiency) 3-2 in May 2026.

What's on the tableWhether the city approves further tax increment financing districts and how it uses its Economic Development Authority.

On May 5, 2026 the council approved the tax increment financing plan for TIF District No. 22 (soil deficiency), 3-2, with Mayor Lehman and Council Member DuLaney voting no. Shakopee City Council minutes, May 5 2026 · May 5, 2026
The five members of the City Council also serve as the Economic Development Authority. City of Shakopee
The 2027 preliminary Economic Development Authority levy request is $550,000, with no change from 2026. City of Shakopee · Sep 15, 2026

Flock license plate reader cameras

Where it standsThe council held an informational workshop on Flock automated license plate readers on Sept. 1, 2026.

What's on the tableWhether the city keeps, limits or ends its use of Flock license plate reader cameras.

The council's Sept. 1, 2026 agenda included a workshop discussion on Flock cameras (Automated License Plate Readers), recorded as informational only. Shakopee City Council minutes, Sep 1 2026 · Sep 1, 2026
Candidate Brendan VanAlstyne's campaign site calls for ending the Flock contract and says there are over a dozen cameras around Shakopee. Brendan Van Alstyne for Shakopee City Council (campaign site)

Growth and annexation

Where it standsThe council approved annexations of property from Jackson Township in January and April 2026.

What's on the tableHow fast the city annexes land, extends services and approves new development.

On Jan. 20, 2026 the council voted 5-0 to approve annexing property in Jackson Township into Shakopee (Resolution R2026-002). Shakopee City Council minutes, Jan 20 2026 · Jan 20, 2026
On Apr. 21, 2026 the council voted 5-0 for another annexation (Resolution R2026-060) and 5-0 for a Metropolitan Urban Service Area map amendment (Resolution R2026-061). Shakopee City Council minutes, Apr 21 2026 · Apr 21, 2026
The city's taxable market value is $8.98 billion, up $333 million or 3.9% from last year, according to the 2027 budget memo. City of Shakopee · Sep 15, 2026

Public utilities and local energy

Where it standsThe council amended the Shakopee Public Utilities franchise agreement for large power users 3-2 in April 2026.

What's on the tableHow the council and its appointed utilities commission handle electricity demand, large users and renewable energy.

On Apr. 7, 2026 the council approved an amendment to the Shakopee Public Utilities franchise agreement for large power users, 3-2, with Mayor Lehman and Council Member Whiting voting no. Shakopee City Council minutes, Apr 7 2026 · Apr 7, 2026
Council Member Jim DuLaney's campaign site says he is a commissioner for Shakopee Public Utilities. Jim DuLaney for City Council (campaign site)
The 2027 budget memo lists a $65,000 increase in the Shakopee Public Utilities pilot fee. City of Shakopee · Sep 15, 2026

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 should Shakopee set its annual property tax levy increase?
2. How should the city use tax increment financing (TIF) for development?
3. What should Shakopee do about its Flock license plate reader cameras?
4. How should Shakopee handle annexation and new development?
5. What role should the city take in local energy supply?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

In-person absentee voting begins (Scott County Public Works, Jordan)City of ShakopeeSep 18, 2026
Early voting begins at Shakopee City HallCity of ShakopeeOct 16, 2026
Election Day, polls open 7 am to 8 pmCity of ShakopeeNov 3, 2026
Council scheduled to adopt the final 2027 tax levy and budgetCity of Shakopee · Sep 15, 2026Dec 15, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Jesse Lara, Jay Whiting3 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

The Mayor and four council members form a five-member council; the Mayor is a voting member with no veto power. City of Shakopee
The Mayor is elected to a four-year term, and the four council members serve staggered four-year terms. City of Shakopee
The Mayor and council members are elected at-large on a nonpartisan basis. City of Shakopee

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