Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Wells Mayor & City Council Election 2026
3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 5 candidates running. Updated Oct 21, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
How to vote · 11 days left
Election Day (Nov 3): the election office's noticeThese links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
City Council
Vote for up to 2Voters citywide choose the mayor, who is unopposed, and two of the council's four members from four candidates.
Also on your Nov 3 ballot
We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.
- Governor
- Amy Klobuchar · Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Lisa Demuth · Republican
- Steven Young · Green
- U.S. Senate
- Peggy Flanagan · Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Michele Tafoya · Republican
- Marisa Simonetti · Independent
- Rebecca Whiting · Libertarian
- Also statewideSecretary of State · State Auditor · Attorney General · Associate Justice - Supreme Court · Judge - Court of Appeals
- Statewide measures1 on the ballot: the state's official explanations
Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
- Nancy KrugerCouncil Member; term ends December 31, 20289sourced
- Brenda WeberCouncil Member; term ends December 31, 20287sourced
Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.
What the next council decides
01City Hall: renovate or relocate3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council has discussed for months whether to fix the current City Hall or move, and the preliminary 2027 levy includes $150,000 toward buying the former Mayo Clinic building.
What's on the tableWhether to renovate City Hall or buy another building, and how to pay for it.
- An inspection report on City Hall raised concerns about mold and elevated humidity levels. City of Wells · Oct 13, 2025
- The council agreed that deciding whether to renovate City Hall or relocate to a new facility should be the top priority of the Strategic Plan. City of Wells · Apr 27, 2026
- Adding $150,000 to buy the former Mayo Clinic building raised the preliminary 2027 levy increase to 25.10 percent. Faribault County Register · Oct 4, 2026
022027 property tax levy3 sourced facts
Where it standsIn September 2026 the council set the 2027 preliminary levy at $2,388,939, a 25.1% increase; the final levy can only be lower.
What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and budget in December.
- Without the City Hall purchase, the preliminary levy increase would have been $329,319, or 17.5 percent. Faribault County Register · Oct 4, 2026
- The preliminary levy could not be raised after the meeting, only lowered, and the final levy is decided in December. Faribault County Register · Oct 4, 2026
- For 2026, the proposed tax levy was revised to 9.65% in November 2025. City of Wells · Nov 24, 2025
03Highway 22/109 project and sewer rates3 sourced facts
Where it standsMnDOT is rebuilding State Highways 22 and 109 in Wells, and the city is paying for new sewer and water lines with bonds and higher sewer rates.
What's on the tableSewer rates after 2028 and how to repay the project debt.
- The total city cost of the project, including construction and construction engineering, will be $5,878,704. Faribault County Register · Feb 1, 2026
- The council approved a $3,535,000 temporary utility revenue bond and $1,220,000 in general obligation bonds. City of Wells · Mar 4, 2026
- The proposed sewer rate schedule has larger increases in 2027 and 2028, followed by smaller annual increases. City of Wells · Jun 8, 2026
04Golf carts, scooters and parked trailers2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council is reviewing a draft ordinance on special vehicles such as golf carts, and staff are preparing changes to rules for trailers parked on streets.
What's on the tableWhere golf carts and similar vehicles may go, and how long trailers and RVs may stay on city streets.
- The council supported prohibiting ATVs and UTVs in city parks but discussed whether golf carts should be treated differently, then tabled the draft ordinance. City of Wells · Jul 13, 2026
- The current ordinance sets a 24-hour limit in the C-1 and C-2 business districts but no similar time limit for residential streets. Faribault County Register · Sep 20, 2026
05Nuisance properties and code enforcement2 sourced facts
Where it standsPolice and staff are working on code enforcement cases, including fire-damaged properties, and the council approved abatement orders for three properties.
What's on the tableHow hard to push code enforcement and how much to spend on abatement.
- Letters have been sent to several properties with ordinance violations, and work is underway to clean up fire-damaged properties. City of Wells · Mar 9, 2026
- The enforcement process is often lengthy and can involve legal action and significant costs. City of Wells · Jun 8, 2026
2 notes on these statements
The mayor's office is held by David Braun, and the two council seats on the ballot are held by John Herman and Crystal Dulas. Faribault County Register · Aug 2, 2026
Lyle Doerr-Rodriguez Jr., John P Herman, Seth Olson and Lexie Sherman are the four candidates for two council seats. Minnesota Secretary of State · Jul 28, 2026
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Who matches you?
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Key dates
- Election Day (polls 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wells Community Center)City of WellsNov 3, 2026
The seat math
2 stay (not up this year): Nancy Kruger, Brenda Weber3 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- The Wells City Council is a five-member, weak mayor system. City of Wells
- Each at-large councilmember serves a four-year term, and the mayor serves a two-year term. City of Wells
- The mayor votes on council motions; Mayor David Braun voted no on the 2027 preliminary levy. Faribault County Register · Oct 4, 2026
- The 2026 ballot has the mayor (2-year term) and two City Council positions (4-year terms). City of Wells
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