Advocacy News, November 5, 2026

TIDAL WAVES, TARIFFS, TRUMP, AND TRIFECTAS

Hello, hello!

Please excuse the brevity. It was a long Tuesday night that bled rather unceremoniously into Wednesday morning.

Gallons of ink—both digital and otherwise—have already been spilled dissecting Tuesday’s results, so I’ll limit myself to a few observations. The blue wave crashed across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and much of the country. Was it a blue tsunami? A blue tidal wave? A blue tornado? Pick your preferred meteorological disaster. Whatever you call it, it was a shellacking.

Trade wars, actual wars (undeclared), tariffs, and Donald Trump himself certainly didn’t help Republican candidates up and down the ticket. Add in the cost of gas, health care, and seemingly every commodity required for everyday life—not to mention candidate recruitment in a few key races—and the makings of the wave were hiding in plain sight. One takeaway from Tuesday: it appears Trump trumps fraud as an election issue.

Here in Minnesota, the 2027 Legislature will gavel in with a DFL trifecta. For those inclined to pore over precinct maps and vote totals—or those simply looking to settle an Election Night argument—full results are available through the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State.

If you haven’t yet reached your recommended daily allowance of election analysis, fear not. We have you covered.

Please join us Tuesday, November 10, for our Lunch with Leaders: Election Recap & Legislative Preview at Town & Country Club. Chas Anderson (Park Street Public), Todd Rapp (Rapp Strategies), and Torey Van Oot (Axios) will help us unpack what happened on Election Day, what the results tell us about Minnesota’s political landscape, and how the new balance of power may shape budget negotiations, legislative priorities, and public policy when lawmakers return to Saint Paul in January.

As your humble moderator, I’ll do my best to keep the conversation moving—and limit my references to Thomas Sowell, John Locke, and Adam Smith to a socially acceptable number.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time for a nap.

-JP

IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEWS

• St. Paul mayor announces nominee for new fire chief.
• St. Paul City Council office renovations come in $360,000 over budget.
• Ramsey County races: Noecker, McMurtrey, Moran win board seats.
• Nicole Mitchell secures Woodbury City Council seat following burglary conviction.
• (OPINION) Chris Hilger: Downtown St. Paul’s comeback is taking shape — and we’re all in.
• MN Court of Appeals allows ‘Right to Repair’ to remain on St. Paul ballot.
• St. Paul voters approve ‘Right to Repair’ ballot question.
• St. Paul approves $160,000 settlement with Summit Ave. bikeway opponents.
• Mueller wins Washington County sheriff’s race in landslide; Karwoski, McCoy and Bigham secure county board seats.
• St. Paul Port Authority: 3 TIF districts move back onto tax rolls early.
• Washington County voters approve $40M Land and Water Legacy renewal.
• Roadwork in downtown St. Paul includes Capital City Bikeway.
• Woodbury mayoral race: Anne Burt wins.
• What’s the future of car-sharing in St. Paul? Mayor Her seeks funding.
• Dakota County voters decide sheriff, attorney, commissioners.
• St. Paul: Midway liquor district proposal is pared down.
• Mendota Heights backs incumbents after intense election season.
• Dakota County 2026 General Election Results.
• Chonburi Lee elected as next Maplewood mayor.
• Paul Gardner elected mayor of Shoreview; John Doan and Ashley Patel win city council.
• At Hastings event, residents vent frustrations over rising costs of PFAS water treatment.
• Dangerous levels of lead and other toxins taint soil at St. Paul homeless encampment.
• Forest Lake: Nine finalists will be interviewed for open city council seat after resignation.
• Owner of St. Paul’s Sears site envisions new homes and parks.
• After $93M rebuild, Kellogg Blvd. Bridge reopens to pedestrians, cyclists.
• What’s next for the proposed Rondo land bridge atop I-94 in St. Paul?
• St. Paul City Council Committee considers tiny home, indoor village solutions for unhoused community.
• Dangerous dust in Southport pushes St. Paul residents to take action.

IN STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS

• 2026 General Election Results
• Amy Klobuchar elected MN governor, Democrats win other statewide offices.
• Minnesota beats early voting record for midterm election.
• Amy Klobuchar highlights priorities after historic election as governor.
• A fraud czar, carrots for more housing and investigating Metro Surge killings: What Klobuchar’s first months as governor would look like.
• Klobuchar turns to governing, promises state government audit on ‘day one’.
• (OPINION) Minnesota’s new leaders must face if high taxes harm growth.
• Amy Klobuchar is Minnesota’s next governor. What happens to her Senate seat?
• Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan wins Minnesota’s US Senate seat.
• Ellison wins tough test in closely watched race for Minnesota attorney general.
• Steve Simon reelected as Secretary of State.
• Zack Filipovich wins election for Minnesota State Auditor.
• Voters approve MN state constitutional amendment.
• Minnesota Chamber selects new president, CEO with policy experience.
• Q&A with UMN President Rebecca Cunningham on $140M plans for St. Paul campus.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Schedule a free premise survey with SPPD Crime Prevention team.

Saint Paul is currently seeking applicants for the Labor Standards Advisory Committee.

Saint Paul has openings on more than 30 boards and commissions, including the Board of Water Commissioners, Board of Zoning Appeals, Climate Justice Advisory Board, Neighborhood STAR Board and Transportation Committee. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Saint Paul HREEO Commission Openings.

Saint Paul's Capital Improvement Budget Committee seeks applicants.

Join the Saint Paul Snow Community Working Group, a 12-15 member group helping shape future snow plowing and parking models.

Dakota County is seeking members for advisory committees, including youth seats on the Public Art, Library and Extension committees.

Ramsey County is seeking members for Advisory Boards and Committees, including four Charter Commission seats, 911 Community Voices and the Workforce Innovation Board.

Apply to a Washington County Advisory Board or Committee.

Minnesota Boards and Commissions Seeking Applications, The Office of the Secretary of State opened all seats on Governor appointed Boards and Commissions to begin accepting applications for appointments. People interested in serving on a state board or commission can view open board and commission positions as well as submit their application on the Office of the Secretary of State's website.

Join a Vadnais Heights Advisory Commission.

Forest Lake is accepting applications for appointments to the Airport Commission, EDA, Parks Commission, and Planning Commission.

Take the Saint Paul Audit Committee topic suggestions survey.

Harriet Island Regional Park Long Range Plan Survey.

Saint Paul 2050 Comprehensive Plan Survey and Mapping Activity, available in English, Spanish, Somali, Hmong and Karen.

Woodbury 2050 Comprehensive Plan guiding principles questionnaire and mapping activity.

Spring Lake Park 2050 Comprehensive Plan Resident Visioning Survey.



Take the Minnesota Chamber’s Survey on How Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) is impacting your company.  

TOWN HALLS/PUBLIC MEETINGS

Robert Street Community Workshop on T District Map Amendments

• November 5, 6-7:30pm, Wellstone Community Center – 179 Robie St E, Saint Paul, MN 55107 (details)

Virtual Office Hours w/ Ramsey County Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong

• November 6, 12:00pm, RSVP for Virtual Meeting
• December 4, 12:00pm, RSVP for Virtual Meeting

Woodbury 2050 Comprehensive Plan Community Engagement

• November 9, 4:30-7pm, Central Park – 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury, MN 55125 (details)

Ward 2 Community Conversation w/ Council President Rebecca Noecker

• November 16, 10-11:00am, Hepcat Coffee – 370 Wabasha St N, Saint Paul, MN 55102

St. Paul Police Department Western District Monthly Community Meeting

• November 17, 9:00am and 6:00pm, SPPD Western District - 389 Hamline Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104

St. Paul Police Department Eastern District Monthly Community Meeting

• November 17, 9:00am and 6:00pm, SPPD Eastern District – 722 Payne Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55130

Office Hours w/ Vadnais Heights Council Member Jerry Moynagh

• November 19, 3:30-4:30pm, Vadnais Heights City Hall – 800 County Road E, Vadnais Heights, MN 55127

Washington County Ribbon Cutting: County Highway 18 and Settlers Ridge Parkway Intersection

• November 19, 1:30-2:00pm, at the new roundabout near Highway 18 and Settlers Ridge Parkway, Woodbury (details)

Breakfast w/ Vadnais Heights Mayor Mike Krachmer

• November 23, 7:00am, Perkins – 1045 County Road E, Vadnais Heights, MN 55110

Office Hours w/ Vadnais Heights Mayor Mike Krachmer

• November 25, 3:30-4:30pm, Vadnais Heights City Hall – 800 County Road E, Vadnais Heights, MN 55127
• December 9, 3:30-4:30pm, Vadnais Heights City Hall – 800 County Road E, Vadnais Heights, MN 55127

Saint Paul Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing on the 2027 Budget

• November 30, 6:00pm, City Council Chambers, City Hall – 15 Kellogg Blvd. West, Saint Paul, MN 55102 (details)

Ramsey County Truth in Taxation Final Public Hearing on the Proposed 2027 Supplemental Budget and Tax Levy

• December 3, 6:00pm, Council Chambers (3rd floor), Saint Paul City Hall-Ramsey County Courthouse – 15 W. Kellogg Blvd., Saint Paul, MN 55102 (sign up to speak or submit comments; interpreter requests due Nov. 27)

Downtown Action Series w/ Council President Rebecca Noecker

• December 10, 4:30-6:00pm, Union Depot – 214 Fourth Street East, Saint Paul, MN 55101 (RSVP)

ELECTED OFFICIALS, LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANTS, AND COMMS STAFF:

Help us help you spread the word about engagement opportunities, town halls, listening sessions, etc. in the East Metro. If you have news to share, please be sure to send it to JP for inclusion in the newsletter!

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