ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Current City Council Member Shaun Palmer, Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Randy Schubring, and professional engineer Dean Koutsoukos were the three candidates running for the Rochester City Council, Council Member at Large, also known as Council President.

Palmer and Schubring received the highest number of votes to advance to the November election. Palmer came out on top, collecting 46% of the votes. Schubring came in second, with 43%, and Koutsoukos came in third, with 12%.

Wednesday, KTTC spoke with Palmer and Schubring, asking their reactions to the election results. Palmer shared that he felt excited seeing the outcome, and is already working ahead to prepare for the next election.

“I’ve got 15 different appointments and talk to people and and have to touch base with them,” he said. “Early voting starts on September 20, and so we have to get our act together before that. I’m looking forward to leading the city council.”

Similarly, Schubring shared he was thrilled to see strong citywide support, saying he is working to reach out to Dean Koutsoukos, and his supporters, to join his campaign.

“We are running an inclusive, broad-based campaign citywide here in Rochester,” he said. “They will continue to knock on the doors and talk to people about the issues they’d like to see in at the city council in 2025. “

Palmer is asking for the public’s trust, because he said Rochester needs a knowledgeable leader to help prepare for Mayo Clinic’s $5 billion investment. He said, “I’ve been in the construction industry for 40-years and I have a degree in construction and I think with the $5 billion investment that it’s going to be important to have somebody who understands construction and can explain it to other people .”

On the other hand, Schubring is asking residents to vote for him, because the city needs a leader who is willing to listen to all the community members’ needs. He said, “I think it’s all about really connecting with people, and I will be doing that over the next 82-days understanding what their concerns are, whether there are increasing affordable housing in Rochester for our equitable park space and an effective and respectful city ​​council.”

Palmer shared his top priority is to sit down with council members right away in November to create policies that are in the best interests of the community.

“We need to be working together,” he said. “I think that’s what people are looking for: a city council that is going to be calmer and is going to be working to policy issues that came up with listings. Neighbors are important. The future is important, and I think that you need to ask questions of candidates, saying, ‘What is your vision of the future of Rochester?'”

Schubring stated his immediate goal is to use his demonstrated leadership to form a respectful city council that takes care of its neighborhoods.

“My demonstrated leadership at the state and city level proves I can run an effective opposition and respectful city council,” he said. “We’ve been in every ward and I’ve personally door knocked on over 1,800 doors in the last couple months . I’m a neighborhood leader and I want to make sure that we’re looking at our neighborhoods throughout the city of Rochester.”

Current Council President Brook Carlson decided not to seek re-election. She has been council president since 2020.

The general election is Tuesday, November 5.

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