Waite Park City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Shawn
Blackburn
Shawn Blackburn, 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 BlackburnYou’re reading
- 02Mike Linquist
- 03Frank TheisenIncumbent
Background
- About
- Shawn Blackburn 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: Shawn Blackburn
10 sourced0123rd Avenue project1 sourced position
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
02Personnel board1 sourced position
Voted for 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 for 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
as recorded in the council minutes; not a direct quote
Said he was fine with requiring a four-year degree for fire chief but wanted to discuss it so the city would not cut short its pool of applicants.
Own statementCity of Waite Park · Apr 6, 2026Link
Voted for 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 fees1 sourced position
Voted for 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
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Shawn Blackburn: their words and their votes on the same issue
Fire chief hiring
In their words
Said he was fine with requiring a four-year degree for fire chief but wanted to discuss it so the city would not cut short its pool of applicants.
Apr 6, 2026 ·as recorded in the council minutes; not a direct quote ·City of Waite Park · Apr 6, 2026
On the record
Voted for the fire chief job description requiring a four-year degree, with the position moved to pay grade 11 (passed 3-2, Feb. 2026).
Apr 6, 2026 ·City of Waite Park · Apr 6, 2026
Voted for appointing Shawn Downs as fire chief with all the pay and moving terms he requested (failed 2-3, June 2026).
Jul 20, 2026 ·City of Waite Park · Jul 20, 2026
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).
Jul 20, 2026 ·City of Waite Park · Jul 20, 2026
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