2026 Mankato Mayor Primary Voter Guide

Aug. 11 Primary

There will be a primary election on Aug. 11th to determine who will be on the ballot for Mankato Mayor. Elections | Blue Earth County, MN - Official Website

Absentee Voting for the August 11th Primary Election begins Friday June 26th and continues until Monday August 10th. The voting hours are from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm Monday through Friday with additional voting hours on Saturday August 8th from 9:00 until 3:00 pm and Monday August 10th until 5:00 pm.

Early voting (voters are able to deposit their ballot directly into a tabulator) begins on July 24th and continues until 5:00pm on Monday August 10th with the same hours as absentee voting.

Mayor Candidates

The following candidates will be on the Aug. 11 Primary ballot to determine which TWO candidates will be on the ballot in November. (Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name.)

Indivisible Questionnaire Responses and Endorsement Process

Indivisible St. Peter/Greater Mankato is a non-partisan community group dedicated to positive, progressive action to create a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive world. One of the core purposes of our group is to help community members learn as much as they can about issues and candidates so they can make an informed decision at the ballot box. 

The following questionnaire, drawn from questions from our members and the leadership team, was sent to all candidates for Mankato Mayor. Here are the responses received by the requested deadline. 

Julia Hamann

Profession: Social Worker

Bio - please introduce yourself to voters.

I was born and raised in Mankato and am proud to call myself a "townie." I truly love this community and feel fortunate to have grown up here. I stayed in Mankato for college after receiving a Presidential Scholarship from Minnesota State University, Mankato. There, I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work with a minor in Sociology and graduated as an Honors student. After graduating in 2016, I spent a year serving as an AmeriCorps volunteer before continuing my career in human services.   

Over the past decade, I have worked alongside adults with disabilities, children and youth, people experiencing substance use disorders, and survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Today, I serve as a Program Director at a nonprofit in the anti-violence movement. I also recently earned a Professional Certificate in Restorative Justice from Vermont Law and Graduate School.   

Outside of work, I am an active member of the Mankato community, volunteering with local nonprofits, attending community events, and participating in a local mutual aid group. I also enjoy connecting with neighbors through my community garden plot. Time with my family is deeply important to me as well, and I especially cherish my time with my niece and nephew. My experiences as a renter, a millennial, a queer woman, and a survivor of gender-based violence are also important parts of who I am, shaping both my perspective and my commitment to building a more inclusive community.  

My education, professional, and lived experiences have deepened my commitment to Mankato and given me a firsthand understanding of our community's strengths, needs, and challenges. They have shaped me into a thoughtful, collaborative leader who is grounded in values of equity, accountability, transparency, dignity, and justice. These experiences and values inspired me to run for Mayor, and they will continue to guide every decision I make in serving our community.

1. What motivates you to run for mayor of Mankato?

I have always been someone that has done my part to show up for the community. I am deeply committed to giving back to the community that nurtured me and running for local office seems to be a natural progression in my advocacy for building a better Mankato. In recent years, my attention turned to local politics as I developed a deeper understanding of the influence city leadership can hold in helping communities be resilient in the face of broader political concerns. 

As I have become more engaged with local politics, I have been disappointed to see that my progressive values were not represented amongst city leadership on issues that I care about. I want to bring a new lens to city decision-making, one that centers the experience of everyday Mankatoans. I can’t promise to change everything overnight, but I can promise to show up with a commitment to do what I can to improve material conditions for those most impacted by the issues facing my community. I believe Mankato deserves a leader who will show up, meet the moment, be present, ask hard questions, center those most impacted by decisions, seek community input, be transparent in decision making, and bring a progressive voice to every council meeting. I can be that leader.

2. What relevant experiences, areas of knowledge, and perspectives could you bring to this position?

As a life-long resident, I am deeply rooted in this community. I started volunteering at a young age, through high school and college. I maintained my commitment to service by pursuing a degree in social work. I have worked in human services for over 10 years and currently hold a director role at a non profit within the anti-violence movement. I remain an active volunteer with other local community groups, including a group working to expand mutual aid in my city. I have a proven track record of showing up where it matters and trying to make a difference in my community.

My life experiences as a millennial, queer woman, survivor, and renter inform my perspective and the issues I am concerned about. My work and volunteer experience with folks of many intersecting identities also grounds my viewpoint in the lived experience of those struggling the most in our community and those often left out of decision-making. My education and training as a social worker has instilled values that I believe all city leaders should hold-a strong sense of professional ethics that values social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. 

As a non profit leader I have demonstrated these values. My non-profit leadership roles have also helped me develop the skills needed to be a responsible steward of resources by maintaining a balanced budget, while remaining in alignment with mission, values, and strategic planning goals. My experience and perspective make me a well rounded candidate and help me offer a unique insight that is not currently present amongst city leadership.

3. What are your top priorities that you would like to address while in office?

I want to prioritize community input and transparency because the best solutions are generated collectively and community members should be brought into city decision making. Ensuring the voices of community members are heard is critical for building trust with local leadership, especially those who are most impacted by issues. Information about the political process and reasoning for city decisions should be shared openly and be accessible to city residents. This is needed to foster more public engagement with local government and ensure that the needs of all community members are understood and supported. 

Affordability and tenants rights are a priority given the large number of renters in our community and increased housing costs. I believe the city should support access to affordable and dignified housing for all. I support the work that the Mankato city government is currently doing to build affordable housing opportunities as part of their strategic plan through projects like the community land trust and building supportive housing units. I’d like to see more work like this and I think these efforts could be bolstered by policies that support tenant rights and ensure dignity by holding landlords accountable for keeping rental units updated and in good repair.

In the face of climate change, I believe the local government should be a community leader in modeling sustainable practices and supporting community members to be resilient to the impacts of a changing climate. I am happy that Mankato currently has a climate action plan and I support the initiatives recommended within that project. I would like to see that work taken further by considering ways sustainable infrastructure, including renewable energy, can be implemented in city development projects. I also think it is important to consider the environmental impact of proposed development within the city to ensure we are making thoughtful decisions that protect our natural resources.

 I’d also like to reimagine public safety to include supporting our local social safety net programs to help prevent crises before they happen. Another question in this questionnaire addresses public safety so I will expand more below.

4. What are important strengths and opportunities for the city of Mankato?

Mankato is an ideal place to live as it offers a small town feel, with the amenities of a larger city. There are a variety of recreational, arts, and culture activities to engage in for community members and visitors of all interests and we are located with easy access to the Metro area for additional recreational opportunities. Mankato also has a diverse economy with a variety of employment sectors and several colleges that help develop an accessible and well trained workforce. There is also a large network of social service providers to support community members when they are in need of a hand up. The people of Mankato are the city’s greatest strength, however. Mankato is has a diverse population of engaged citizens that love this community and want to work together to invest in our shared future. 

As Mankato grows we need to utilize our strengths to continue to build a city where everyone can thrive and enjoy the amenities Mankato has offer. We have an opportunity to work more closely with community members to better understand their needs and develop creative solutions for the issues facing our city today. Continuing to invest in affordable housing, bolstering tenants rights, and improving conditions of rental housing will help encourage students and other renters to stay in Mankato rather than see it as just a temporary home. Strengthening public transportation, expanding safe walking and biking infrastructure, and building neighborhoods with access to basic needs will also make a better quality of life more accessible for all residents. Supporting our social safety network will help protect and uplift our most vulnerable community members. Investing in sustainable infrastructure development and renewable energy opportunities will help ensure community members are able to be resilient in the face of a changing climate. Mankato can thrive when city government works transparently and collaboratively to improve quality of life for all residents, every neighborhood receives the investment it deserves, and we make city decisions with future generations in mind.

5. What do you think is the appropriate relationship between city government and ICE?

I do not think it is appropriate for the city government to have a working relationship with ICE. Mankato should be a welcoming and safe city for all residents and visitors. ICE has been acting as an occupying force, kidnapping immigrant neighbors and terrorizing communities across this state. Their presence does not make Mankato safer. The city should send a clear message to community members that ICE is not welcome here and that we support our immigrant neighbors. The city should also be part of convening, coordinating, and uplifting those supporting community members most impacted by ICE presence. ICE should be restricted from conducting operations or staging vehicles on city property. All city buildings should have a protocol for responding to ICE presence that prioritizes protecting those working in or utilizing community spaces. Local police and city staff should be prohibited from inquiring about immigration status or cooperating with ICE investigations, raids, or detainments. Local law enforcement should hold ICE accountable to following local laws.

6. How should Mankato approach public safety and what are the critical issues to address in this area?

I believe the city should expand their understanding of public safety beyond criminal response and fire safety. Although these programs are a part of our public safety system, I believe the city could do more to prevent crime by supporting a robust social safety network. Our communities are safest when people have access to the resources they need including safe housing, financial stability, and community support. Mankato is lucky to have so many social service organizations that work to uplift our most vulnerable community members by providing access to needed resources and support, but these organizations and community groups are often under-resourced themselves. I would support policies that strengthen partnerships and share resources with local service organizations whose missions are centered in helping ensure the well-being of residents and mitigate the conditions that create public safety concerns.

7. What does affordable housing mean to you? What are the pressing issues related to housing for the community? 

Affordable housing means that someone is paying less than 30% of their income for all housing costs. The housing they receive for that price should also be in sound condition, providing a safe, secure, and dignified living situation. About half of Mankato residents are renters. Although many renters are students that are in a transitional phase of life, renting is also common for other residents, who are increasingly being priced out of home buying due to rising real estate prices. Rental costs are also rising consistently while wages stay stagnant. I have heard concerns from residents about the condition of rental units and landlords not doing their part to properly maintain their rental properties. Mankato also has a population of unhoused community members and local shelters are often full and under resourced. As housing and other living expenses increase, there is increased risk for homelessness among community members.

8. What are your thoughts about data centers in or near Mankato?

I am deeply concerned about the harmful environmental, public health, and financial impacts hyperscale data centers could have on our community. There is evidence from other data center developments around the country that they can lead to significant water depletion, harmful health impacts due to air, noise, and water pollution, and increased energy costs. These costs to the community are not worth any potential economic benefit. I support the moratorium on data center development currently being considered by the city council. Should I be elected, I would continue to monitor these concerns in any future conversation about extending the moratorium. Unless there was strong evidence that all risks could be mitigated, I would not support future data center proposals for our area.

Anything else you’d like you'd like to share?

I sincerely appreciate Indivisible’s consideration of endorsement for my campaign. I support the work the group has already done to support progressive candidates for local office in our area. Having progressive voices participating in local politics is critical to strengthen our city’s ability to meet the moment and be responsive to the way broader scale politics and social issues impact our local community.

Najwa Massad (no response)

Toby Leonard (no response)

More information

More information on the Mankato Major race (listed in reverse chronological order): 

• Candidate for Mankato Mayor, Julia Hamann, Hosts Campaign Launch Party (KEYC, June 29, 2026)

• Leonard hopes third time's the charm in Mankato mayoral election (Mankato Free Press, June 11, 2026)

• Mankato candidates officially file for office, with passing of Tuesday deadline - Complete mayoral and city council races (KEYC, Jun 3, 2026)

• Hamann, Bases look to bring new conversations to Mankato leadership (Mankato Free Press, May 30, 2026)

• Candidates step forward for Mankato’s 2026 Mayoral election - Najwa Massad and Toby Leonard (KEYC, May 21, 2026)

• Massad announces bid for third term (Mankato Free Press, May 15, 2026)