Winona, MNVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Winona City Council Election 2026

3 of 7

council seats up

3 contests

5 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 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 At-Large · Unopposed

City Council Ward 2 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 4 · 1 seat

Voters elect the council member for Ward 2 by ward, Ward 4 by ward, and one at-large member citywide. The at-large seat has one candidate; the mayor is not on the 2026 ballot.

3 notes on these statements

Autumn Leigh Cole and Raelynn Peter did not attend the Sept. 10, 2026 League of Women Voters forum; the Winona Post reported statements from each. Winona Post

Jeff Hyma and Raelynn Peter did not submit the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce candidate questionnaire. Winona Area Chamber of Commerce

The Winona City Council voted 5-2 to adopt the preliminary 2027 budget, including a 13.4% levy increase (September 8, 2026). Winona Post

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Jason DicusCouncilmember, At-Large; term ends December 31, 20286sourcedScott ShermanMayor; term ends December 31, 20286sourcedSam Zierden ShortridgeCouncilmember, 3rd Ward; term ends December 31, 20286sourcedSteve YoungCouncilmember, 1st Ward; term ends December 31, 20286sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decides2027 property tax levy and budget, Police-fire station, Housing and zoningKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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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 tax levy and budget

Where it standsThe council adopted a preliminary 2027 budget with a 13.4% levy increase in September 2026; it can lower the levy but not raise it before the final vote in December.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 city budget and property tax levy, in December.

  • The Winona Post reported the council voted 5-2 to add $620,000 to the levy for library funding, new positions and fire department vehicles, which would raise the levy 13.4%. Winona Post · Sep 2, 2026
  • The Winona Post reported the council voted 5-2 to adopt the preliminary 2027 budget, and can decrease but not increase the levy before final approval. Winona Post

Police-fire station

Where it standsThe council voted in August 2026 to continue design of a $68.5 million police-fire station and was due to vote October 5 on an option to purchase the Central School lots.

What's on the tableWhether to buy the site, issue debt and build the station.

  • The Winona Post reported the council voted 5-2 to move to the next design stage of a $68.5 million police-fire station. Winona Post
  • The Winona Post reported the option-to-purchase agreement would have the city pay $25,000 a year toward parcels with a total cost of nearly $1.2 million. Winona Post · Sep 30, 2026
  • The Winona Post reported the city has received $7.5 million from the state for land acquisition and design. Winona Post

Housing and zoning

Where it standsThe council voted 6-1 to allow housing in light industrial zoning districts.

What's on the tableWhether to make further zoning changes to allow more housing.

  • The Winona Post reported that no new homes or apartments could be built in I-1 districts before the change, and that the comprehensive plan recommends allowing housing there. Winona Post

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. 1. The council set a preliminary 2027 property tax levy increase of 13.4%; it can be lowered but not raised. Where do you stand?

  2. 2. The city is designing a $68.5 million police-fire station on the Central School site. What should the council do?

  3. 3. How should Winona pay for city services as costs rise?

  4. 4. The council was due to vote October 5 on an option to buy the Central School lots for the station site. Where do you stand?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Jason Dicus, Scott Sherman, Sam Zierden Shortridge, Steve Young3 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

  • The Winona City Council has a mayor and six council members: four elected by ward and two elected at large. City of Winona
  • The term for both the mayor and council members is four years. City of Winona
  • The mayor is elected by voters; Scott Sherman ran for re-election as mayor in November 2024. Winona Journal · Nov 5, 2024
  • The 2026 council terms ending December 31, 2026 are Ward 2 (Jeff Hyma), Ward 4 (George Borzyskowski) and one at-large seat (Jerome Christenson). City of Winona
  • The Winona Post reported that Ward 4 member George Borzyskowski is not running again. Winona Post

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