Waite Park City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Frank
Theisen
Frank Theisen, the incumbent, is running for Waite Park City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 3 candidates are running for 2 seats.
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The race · City Council
- 01Shawn BlackburnIncumbent
- 02Mike Linquist
- 03Frank TheisenYou’re reading
Background
- About
- Frank Theisen has served on the Waite Park City Council since January 1, 2023. His current term ends December 31, 2026.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Nonpartisan
On the record: Frank Theisen
13 sourced0123rd Avenue project2 sourced positions
Voted against the resolution ordering road and utility improvements and plans for 23rd Avenue South (3-2, failed for lack of a four-fifths vote, Aug. 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Sep 14, 2026LinkHow the council voted
as recorded in the council minutes; not a direct quote
Said he would like to wait on 23rd Avenue improvements until the neighborhood starts to agree with the council.
Own statementCity of Waite Park · Sep 14, 2026Link
02Personnel board1 sourced position
Voted against the resolution placing the question of abolishing the Civil Service Personnel Board on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot (passed 4-1, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Sep 14, 2026LinkHow the council voted
03Data centers1 sourced position
Voted to adopt a moratorium on uses associated with data centers (passed unanimously, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Jun 15, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04Water treatment and PFAS1 sourced position
Voted to approve a PFAS pilot study and preliminary engineering for PFAS mitigation and water treatment plant upgrades (passed unanimously, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Jul 20, 2026LinkHow the council voted
05Fire chief hiring4 sourced positions
Voted to change the fire chief job description to require a bachelor's degree instead of an associate degree (passed 4-1, Jan. 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Apr 6, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted against the fire chief job description requiring a four-year degree, with the position moved to pay grade 11 (passed 3-2, Feb. 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Apr 6, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted against appointing Shawn Downs as fire chief with all the pay and moving terms he requested (failed 2-3, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Jul 20, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted to appoint Shawn Downs as fire chief, with the $10,000 moving payment made only if he lives in Waite Park within one year of hire (passed unanimously, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Jul 20, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06Billboards1 sourced position
Voted for a conditional use permit for a digital billboard by RHL Inc. along Highway 23 (passed 4-1, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Jul 20, 2026LinkHow the council voted
07Park fees2 sourced positions
Voted against raising Community Park rental fees by $10 starting in 2027 (passed 3-2, Feb. 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Apr 6, 2026LinkHow the council voted
as recorded in the council minutes; not a direct quote
Said he would rather double Community Park rental fees for nonresidents and make the park free for residents to use.
Own statementCity of Waite Park · Apr 6, 2026Link
08Staffing1 sourced position
Voted against making the Public Works administrative associate a full-time position (passed 4-1, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Waite Park · Jun 15, 2026Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Frank Theisen: their words and their votes on the same issue
23rd Avenue project
In their words
Said he would like to wait on 23rd Avenue improvements until the neighborhood starts to agree with the council.
Sep 14, 2026 ·as recorded in the council minutes; not a direct quote ·City of Waite Park · Sep 14, 2026
On the record
Voted against the resolution ordering road and utility improvements and plans for 23rd Avenue South (3-2, failed for lack of a four-fifths vote, Aug. 2026).
Sep 14, 2026 ·City of Waite Park · Sep 14, 2026
Park fees
In their words
Said he would rather double Community Park rental fees for nonresidents and make the park free for residents to use.
Apr 6, 2026 ·as recorded in the council minutes; not a direct quote ·City of Waite Park · Apr 6, 2026
On the record
Voted against raising Community Park rental fees by $10 starting in 2027 (passed 3-2, Feb. 2026).
Apr 6, 2026 ·City of Waite Park · Apr 6, 2026
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