Virginia Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Steven B.
Johnson
Steven B. Johnson is running for mayor of Virginia in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Annie Bachschneider.
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The race · Mayor
- 01Annie Bachschneider
- 02Steven B. JohnsonYou’re reading
Background
- About
- Steven B. Johnson has served on the Virginia City Council since 2017. He ran for mayor against Larry Cuffe Jr. in 2022.
Annie Bachschneider and Steven B. Johnson are both current city councilors. Mesabi Tribune · Oct 14, 2026
Steven B. Johnson did not respond to the KAXE Election Guide questionnaire. KAXE · Sep 28, 2026
On the record: Steven B. Johnson
14 sourced01Property tax levy4 sourced positions
Voted no on the 2026 final property tax levy of $8,818,921 (passed 5-1, December 2025).
Council voteCity of Virginia · Dec 23, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Said he could not support a levy that does not increase enough to cover expenses (December 2025).
Own statementCity of Virginia · Dec 23, 2025Link
Said the city has a cash flow problem because it has not raised the levy in over 10 years (June 2026).
Own statementCity of Virginia · Jun 9, 2026Link
Said he appreciated the work on the proposed 8% preliminary levy for 2027, citing inflation (September 2026).
I appreciate the work that’s being done with the 8%”
Own statementMesabi Tribune · Sep 23, 2026Link
02City budget1 sourced position
Voted no on the 2026 city budget of $21,043,344 (passed 5-1, December 2025).
Council voteCity of Virginia · Dec 23, 2025LinkHow the council voted
03Spending freeze2 sourced positions
Voted no on a citywide spending freeze (passed 6-1, April 2026).
Council voteCity of Virginia · Apr 28, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Said the council already approves all purchases and that everything is budgeted (April 2026).
Own statementCity of Virginia · Apr 28, 2026Link
04Forensic audit2 sourced positions
Voted no on directing staff to seek a firm for a forensic audit (passed 6-1, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Virginia · Jun 9, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Said he was not in favor of spending any funds on the forensic audit (June 2026).
Own statementCity of Virginia · Jun 9, 2026Link
05Staffing cuts2 sourced positions
Said current funding and staffing trends are not sustainable.
Current funding and staffing trends are NOT SUSTAINABLE.”
Own statementMesabi Tribune · Oct 14, 2026Link
Voted no on eliminating the library director position after an early retirement; he was the only no vote (September 2026).
Council voteMesabi Tribune · Sep 23, 2026Link
06City property sale1 sourced position
Voted no on selling the former Ready Mix building to Norlander Electric for $1,000 (passed 6-1, September 2026).
I believe we did not follow an appropriate process and the building was not listed for sale”
Council voteMesabi Tribune · Sep 23, 2026Link
07Past candidacies2 sourced positions
Ran for Mayor of Virginia in 2022 as a nonpartisan candidate (lost).
Council voteMinnesota Secretary of State · Nov 8, 2022Link
Ran for Virginia City Council in 2024 as a nonpartisan candidate (won).
Council voteMinnesota Secretary of State · Nov 5, 2024Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Steven B. Johnson: their words and their votes on the same issue
Property tax levy
In their words
Said the city has a cash flow problem because it has not raised the levy in over 10 years (June 2026).
Jun 9, 2026 ·City of Virginia · Jun 9, 2026
Said he appreciated the work on the proposed 8% preliminary levy for 2027, citing inflation (September 2026).
Sep 23, 2026 ·Mesabi Tribune · Sep 23, 2026
On the record
Voted no on the 2026 final property tax levy of $8,818,921 (passed 5-1, December 2025).
Dec 23, 2025 ·City of Virginia · Dec 23, 2025
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