Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

St. Cloud City Council Election 2026

4 of 7

council seats up

4 contests

7 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 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 Ward 1 · 1 seat

Charlie HobbsCharlie Hobbs is a former philosophy professor who serves on the St. Cloud Planning Commission. He is also on the board of directors of Feeding Area Children Together.3sourced
Dave MastersIncumbentDave Masters is a Benton-Stearns Education District teacher and a St. Cloud council member for 19 years. He has served on the YMCA, Economic Development Authority, Housing and Redevelopment Authority and Metro Bus boards.7sourced

City Council Ward 2 · Unopposed

Karen LarsonIncumbentKaren Larson is professor emerita at Gustavus Adolphus College and the incumbent Ward 2 council member. She serves on the St. Cloud Public Library Board and the Paramount Center for the Arts Board.5sourced

City Council Ward 3 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 4 · 1 seat

The four ward seats are on the Nov. 3 ballot. The mayor and the three at-large seats are not up this year, and the mayor is not one of the council's seven members.

4 notes on these statements

Mike Conway, the council president and Ward 4 member, did not seek re-election and is running for the Minnesota House seat in District 14A, leaving Ward 4 an open seat. KNSI · Aug 11, 2026

Karen Larson is unopposed for Ward 2. KNSI · Aug 11, 2026

In the Aug. 11 primary, Charlie Hobbs received 766 votes and Dave Masters 454 in Ward 1; Craig Heurung received 1,284 votes and Joe Baratta 1,087 in Ward 4. Minnesota Secretary of State · Aug 11, 2026

Craig Heurung did not respond to the St. Cloud LIVE candidate questionnaire. St. Cloud LIVE · Aug 8, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Jake AndersonJake Anderson is the mayor of St. Cloud, elected in November 2024. He was elected to the City Council for Ward 3 in 2022.3sourced Scott BrodeenScott Brodeen is an at-large St. Cloud council member first elected in November 2024.6sourced Tami Calhoun4sourced Mark JohnsonCouncil member at large; elected November 2024 to a four-year term; not on the 2026 ballot4sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decides2027 property taxes and budget, Building permit fees and housing, Regional outdoor water park Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Pre-registration deadline (you can still register at the polls)

Tue, Oct 13, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

2027 property taxes and budget

Where it standsThe council set a preliminary 2027 maximum levy on Aug. 31; it can be lowered before the final vote on Dec. 7 but not raised.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and governmental funds budget, including how much of the requested staffing and equipment to fund.

The council adopted the preliminary 2027 tax levy and governmental funds budget 5-1, with Councilmember Brodeen voting no and Councilmember Larson absent. City of St. Cloud · Aug 31, 2026
St. Cloud LIVE reported the council set 12.6% as the overall maximum tax levy for 2027, which totals a little more than $58 million. St. Cloud LIVE · Aug 31, 2026
For a home worth $252,700, the city's median, the mayor's proposal would add about $146 a year in property taxes. KNSI · Sep 1, 2026

Building permit fees and housing

Where it standsThe council raised building permit fees on Aug. 31, effective 2027, after postponing the ordinance in May.

What's on the tableHow the city pays for permitting and inspections, and how it encourages new housing construction.

The council approved six ordinances raising permit fees 4-2, with Councilmembers Brodeen and Johnson voting no. City of St. Cloud · Aug 31, 2026
City staff said the city was recovering 40% of permitting costs, and a $2 million taxpayer subsidy would remain after the increase. City of St. Cloud · Aug 31, 2026
The increase is estimated to net the city about $800,000 and to add about $250 to the cost of a 2,406-square-foot house; it takes effect in 2027. St. Cloud LIVE · Aug 31, 2026
In May the council voted 5-2 to postpone the fee ordinance to Aug. 17. City of St. Cloud · May 18, 2026

Regional outdoor water park

Where it standsThe council voted in January to seek state legislative authority for a voter-approved local sales tax toward a regional outdoor water park.

What's on the tableWhether and how to move the water park and its local sales tax toward a public vote.

City staff put the project cost at about $19 million, with $12 million in pledged donations and a $7 million funding gap. City of St. Cloud · Jan 26, 2026
The proposed local sales tax would need voter approval and would have a three-year limit through 2029. City of St. Cloud · Jan 26, 2026
The resolution passed 5-2, with Councilmembers Brodeen and Johnson voting no. City of St. Cloud · Jan 26, 2026

Council resolutions on immigration and policing

Where it standsIn 2026 the council adopted a welcoming-community resolution and rejected a separate law-enforcement resolution.

What's on the tableWhether the council takes formal positions on immigration enforcement and community policing, and in what wording.

On Jan. 26 the council approved a resolution reaffirming support for a just and welcoming community, 6-1, with Councilmember Brodeen the only no vote. City of St. Cloud · Jan 26, 2026
Two amendments adding wording about residents who are here legally each failed 3-4. City of St. Cloud · Jan 26, 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. In August the council set a 12.6% overall maximum tax levy for 2027, which can be lowered but not raised. Where do you stand?
2. The council raised building permit fees for the first time since 2007 so fees cover more of the cost of permitting. Where do you stand?
3. Should the city seek state authority to put a local sales tax on the ballot to help fund a regional outdoor water park?
4. The council reaffirmed St. Cloud as a welcoming community. How should such a resolution be worded?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

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

4 stay (not up this year): Jake Anderson, Scott Brodeen, Tami Calhoun, Mark Johnson4 on this ballot

7 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The City Council has seven members: four ward members and three members at large. City of St. Cloud
Each ward is represented by one member, who must live in the ward. City of St. Cloud
Council members elected in 2026 serve three-year terms, to move city elections to odd-numbered years; the winners are sworn in at the first council meeting of 2027. KNSI · Aug 11, 2026
The mayor is the city's chief executive and is elected at large by voters. City of St. Cloud
The mayor may veto an ordinance; the council can override with five-sevenths of all its members. City of St. Cloud

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