Two candidates are running for mayor of Arden Hills and three more are running for the city council in November’s election.

General information about the Nov. 3, 2026, election is online at twincities.com/news/politics/elections including information on candidates for races in Ramsey, Dakota and Washington counties.

To find out what’s on your ballot, where to vote and other election information, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s elections page at sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting.

Age: 69

What would your top priorities be if elected?

1. Public Safety: This has been a top priority since I first ran for Mayor. I am a steadfast supporter of our Sheriff and Fire Departments and will continue to strengthen our ability to protect the community. I do ride-alongs with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department and I am Vice Chair of the Ramsey County 911 Dispatch Policy Committee. I testified for state funding of our new state-of-the-art fire station that went into service August 2026. Residents and businesses need to know their investments, both capital and human resources, are safe. That’s one of the standards of a successful city, and it’s a responsibility I take seriously as Mayor. 2. Lowering Property Tax Levy Pressure: I fight every year to reduce costs and find operational efficiencies to help lessen the impact of inflation on our taxpayers. And I plan funding with fairness in mind, like how we funded our new fire station through an electric franchise fee. This approach shares the cost broadly across the community, including our 31% nonprofit tax base, instead of relying only on the property tax levy. The result is a more balanced system: everyone who benefits from the fire department contributes to its funding, and our residents can have confidence that their tax dollars are being managed responsibly. I have led the way to enhance the city’s relationship with our business community. The strong tax base we receive from our business community takes a substantial portion of the city’s tax burden off our individual residents. 3. TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons: This 427-acre development presents a major opportunity to create new homes, vibrant businesses, parks, trails, and community amenities. But it must reflect the character and vision of Arden Hills residents. I will make sure the plan fits our community; not just in design, but in how it protects what makes Arden Hills special. Just as important, we must ensure this development is financially responsible. I will require safeguards so the scale of the development doesn’t create excessive risk for the city. And I will insist that the TCAAP project pays its own way, so it supports growth while avoiding any undue burden on existing Arden Hills residents and local businesses. 4. Maintain and Enhance Our Parks and Trails: I have been a strong champion for our parks and trails building over 7.2 miles of trails and two new parks during my tenure as Mayor. I know that local recreational opportunities mean a lot for our community. An expansive trail network improves quality of life. Through my ambitious planning process, over the next three years, we are on track to add five new trail segments, including Old Snelling and Lake Johanna Boulevard.

What qualifies you to hold this position?

I have dedicated the last 16 years serving Arden Hills as Mayor. Under my leadership, Arden Hills has become a vibrant community where residents and businesses thrive. I look forward to continuing my role as Mayor to proactively work for Arden Hills to grow and flourish. After finishing my MBA, I have served as an international business executive and small business owner. I offer a practical business background necessary to navigate the complex challenges facing our city. I will continue putting my experience to work to lead the city. Good leadership means staying connected and listening to resident ideas and concerns. Arden Hills is a vibrant an exceptional community and I will work to protect our quality of life for future generations.

What do you think is the primary role of government?

The primary role of local government is to provide the essential services, infrastructure, and leadership that enables residents and businesses to thrive. I believe in we must listen carefully to community needs and respond with practical, common-sense solutions. A strong local government keeps neighborhoods safe, maintains roads, parks, and trails. It should manage public resources transparently, make thoughtful long-term investments, and ensure that city services are delivered effectively to every neighborhood. City government also plays an important role in bringing people together. By encouraging public participation, supporting local businesses and community organizations, and working collaboratively with residents, schools, nonprofits, and regional partners, it can build a stronger and more connected community. Our purpose should be to improve our quality of life while proactively planning responsibly for our future. That requires accessible leadership, fiscal responsibility, accountability, energy, and a commitment to serving every resident. Under my leadership I will work hard to enhance Arden Hills reputation as a highly rated community that is responsive, inclusive, and effective, while focusing on results. I continue to ensure the principle that every resident deserves the opportunity to live, work, and succeed in a safe and welcoming community.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?

As Mayor, I start by listening. I attend local community meetings and city events to gather information from neighborhoods in Arden Hills, and I build trust by listening first and work to understand what residents and businesses share. People tend to support what they create. When people feel heard and see their ideas reflected in decisions, they take ownership. This creates a sense of community and ownership in the decisions, because residents aren’t just watching; they are contributing to decisions that shape Arden Hills. With that sense of community, we’re able to build a city-wide vision for the future that enhances the quality of life for everyone. My leadership style emphasizes transparency in reaching decisions, which encourages involvement in the decision-making process.

Website or contact information: http://reelectmayordavidgrant.com

Age: 43

What would your top priorities be if elected?

1)Create an economic development strategy and build relationships with our business community. We must be proactive in attracting new revenue sources that will provide economic stability for years to come. 2)Maintain and fund our excellent public safety services. Currently, 50% of our taxes go to law enforcement and our fire department. 3)To continue thoughtfully advancing the 427-acre Rice Creek Commons. I appreciate our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to design and develop beautiful neighborhoods, a vibrant city center with shops, balanced with quiet green areas. We have acres of corporate campus available now, and in two years the main road and utilities will be installed, the potential is awesome! (Inquires can be directed to our city’s Development Director.)

What qualifies you to hold this position?

I have an MBA and have led data privacy compliance and approvals for AI use cases at a corporation located in 90 countries – I know how businesses work throughout the customer lifecycle. I also served as the data practices compliance official at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation board, where I created its first risk profile – I understand how local government works. I serve on the Board of Northeast Youth & Family Services, and as its governance chair, I also serve on its executive committee. My work always revolves around accountability, clear governance, and transparency. After serving on the council for four years, I have a strong understanding of our service gaps, strengths, and opportunities as a city.

What do you think is the primary role of government?

Ensuring safety and well-being of people is the primary role of government. As a society, we have an obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of our neighbors, and in return we as individuals gain value. If your neighbor’s house is on fire your house is at risk.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?

I try not to enter discussions with a predetermined notion of how someone may view an issue. This increases active listening and understanding. In our city of 10,000 people, it is important to remember we are all within a few degrees of knowing everyone. We have all chosen Arden Hills as our home, and we must have some values where we can build an understanding of each other’s views.

Website or contact information: https://www.emilyforardenhills.com/

Age: 48

What would your top priorities be if elected?

1. A Budget That Works. Good government means spending public money carefully and being honest about tradeoffs. I’ll bring the same analytical approach to the City budget that I bring to my legal work. Arden Hills is catching up on years of deferred maintenance, and that has real costs. I’ll ask hard questions, get clarity on what we’re getting for what we spend, and make sure we’re investing in the right priorities without overextending. Vote for me if you want us to plan ahead instead of kicking things down the road. 2. Responsible Development at Rice Creek Commons (TCCAP). This is the most significant project in a generation. The site has the potential to bring new housing, places to eat and enjoy, jobs, tax revenue, green space, and lasting community value…IF we get it right and work well with Ramsey County to ensure our values come through. I will fight to prevent any data centers or prisons locating there and will vote for housing that attracts young families, serves seniors, and that doesn’t compromise what makes Arden Hills charming now.

What qualifies you to hold this position?

I’ve lived in the area for over 20 years and my kids and I have called Arden Hills home since 2020. I’ve been an attorney for over 18 years and am one of the nation’s leading experts on nonprofit law and governance. I’m a builder not a fighter. I love to find win win solutions for my charity clients. I teach others through my podcast “Charity Therapy” and through continuing ed for lawyers. I worked in environmental conservation grants and real estate with Pheasants Forever and I’m a trained mediator.

What do you think is the primary role of government?

To serve the public with integrity and within the rule of law.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?

I’m a trained in Transformative Mediation which is a listening and facilitating model. I love to find win win solutions. And I believe that reasonable people can disagree and still be friends at the end of the day. Listening to learn rather than waiting for your turn to talk is also very important.

Website or contact information: https://www.votejess.org/

Age: 51

What would your top priorities be if elected?

a. My top priority is to protect and enhance the common values of our Arden Hills residents, including: Excellent Schools, Parks and Trails, Safe & Quiet Neighborhoods, High-Quality Housing, increasing homeowner equity, keeping services efficient, and taxes low. My second priority is to protect and improve these common values with the construction of Rice Creek Commons and the upcoming 2050 Comprehensive City Plan, where I support a plan for the Lexington Avenue commercial corridor (and the underutilized area behind Cub Foods) that studies what the market can support – with an open public process for residents to pick what they want. This increased commercial tax base can protect these common values, reduce our taxes, and bring what we want to Arden Hills.

What qualifies you to hold this position?

a. I’m a parent, planning commissioner, student athlete coach, architect, builder, and sustainability expert with over 30 years of experience in helping communities plan effectively for the future; and I want to give back to my community in a meaningful way by serving on Arden Hills City Council, by using this perspective and extensive experience to protect our common values and proactively plan for our future.

What do you think is the primary role of government?

a. Having members of your own community who represent and make decisions on behalf of your own community is democracy at its core. City Government’s main role is to listen, understand, and support the lives and needs of its residents. This takes place through providing essential public services and by having a vision for how to protect what we value while proactively planning our future.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?

a. I take the time to listen deeply to residents and the challenges at hand; and I look for win-win scenarios where the needs of all parties can be achieved and move forward in the best interest of a community. While serving on the Arden Hills Planning Commission, I found that disagreements were often reconciled by fully listening, clarifying the problem at hand, and then talking through solutions that can effectively solve those problems – together.

Website or contact information: a. Follow me on Instagram (BenLindau4ArdenHills); Tik Tok (BenLindau4ArdenHills); Facebook (Ben Lindau for Arden Hills); and on the internet at https://www.BenforArdenHills.com.

Age: 65

What would your top priorities be if elected?

I will make council decision based on facts rather than personalities. I’m willing to spend money where it produces value or is needed. I will bring an independent but collaborative mindset to City Council meetings. I believe in careful fiscal stewardship, developing trails to our parks and schools, more crosswalks with warning signs plus stop signs to protect bikers exiting park trails onto our streets. Purchasing park features that work for all citizens, be it age grouped as well as handicap accessible play equipment, all should feel welcomed.

What qualifies you to hold this position?

I am the candidate with experience. As a former Arden Hills City Council member, I understand Arden Hills City finances, and how to plan for future needs. When I was Chairman of the Finances Planning & Analysis Committee, I led discussions on several major projects championing the best solutions for the city. I also had volunteered my time on the Economic Development Council, meeting with area businesses plus developed a marketing video on Rice Creek Commons, with the focal point that Arden Hills is Open for Business, bring Arden Hills your jobs.

What do you think is the primary role of government?

My Priorities are budgeting for basic city services, maintaining our roads, lining clay sewer pipes, providing safe drinking water, planting trees and connecting trails to our schools and parks. Also leading discussions on the development of Rice Creek Commons as I will look to protect our current tax payers. With my careful financial planning I will work to keep taxes reasonable. Together, we can preserve our residential characteristics while building a vibrant future.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?

I am the candidate with experience and in this election – experience matters. My promise to you is that, City government works best when we focus on practical solutions, transparent budgets and listening directly to you our residents who live closest to the issues that the city needs to address. Asking for your support to become a member of the Arden Hills city council and together we will build a vibrant future of our inclusive community.

Website or contact information: http://www.runningrad.com