Change Address

VOTE411 Voter Guide

Rochester City Mayor

The mayor is usually the head of the city and may represent the city in front of other government bodies. They also can preside at council meetings and appoint city workers. A mayor usually has a role in proposing a city budget which influences services provided to residents and can veto ordinances proposed by the city council.Learn more here: https://www.lwv.org/blog/voting-local-matters-why-you-should-vote-mayorIf your candidate didn’t fill in the guide below, visit the Secretary of State’s Candidate Filing site to find contact info (https://candidates.sos.mn.gov/). If you reach out, ask candidates to complete their Vote411 Voters Guide from the LWVMN!A forum for the primary election for this position will be held on Thursday, July 16 beginning at 6:30 pm at the Century High School Auditorium.

Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.

  • Candidate picture

    Axe Abdimajid Ahmed
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Molly Dennis
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Walé Elegbede
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Jess Garcia
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Ayub HajiOmar
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Jerrod Lucker
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Joe Powers
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Benjamin Zastrow
    (NP)

Biographical Information

Why are you the best candidate for this position? (750 characters)

If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (500 characters)

If elected, what strategies will you use to ensure transparency, accountability and ethical conduct in city government under your leadership? (500 characters)

How will you engage with residents to solicit feedback, involve them in decision-making processes, and ensure their voices are heard? (500 characters)

How will you approach public safety and community policing to ensure the well-being of all residents? (500 characters)

Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Campaign Website http://drjessgarcia.com
telephone 5074002688
Campaign Email vote@drjessgarcia.com
I am the best candidate for the position because I want to do this for the people of Rochester rather than myself or some special interest. I will also willingly resign my current position with the state to serve the people of Rochester full time.

Rochester also deserves a mayor who will be ready to lead on day one. Since I am the only candidate with experience governing over 120,000 people, while overseeing a budget worth hundreds of millions of dollars, contributing to and supporting a robust strategic plan, and cooperating with other governmental leaders and community members to achieve necessary goals for those we serve, I am the right person for the job.
Affordability, reliability, and transparency are my broader priorities. Additional concerns include the need for to create a more accessible and inclusive community.

When local governments center individuals with disabilities, immigrants, children, senior citizens, and other groups in decision making, they build a community that benefits everyone. When people feel they belong and their local leaders care about them, we become more capable of working together to find solutions to our issues.
Leading by example would be my primary strategy. If I conduct myself in ways that signal that conducting yourself with integrity is the minimum expectation it sets the tone and climate of city government. I would also take seriously concerns of misconduct or issues with workplace relations. Addressing those concerns head on will lead to healthy workplace cultures.
I would champion a multimodal and multilingual approach to effectively engage the community. We need to ensure they have the information they need and access to multiple opportunities to make their voices heard.

A robust, coordinated communication strategy to use social media, news media, in-person meetings, city council and mayor member led community meetings, and collaborate with community leaders who can also spread the word and also receive feedback in multiple languages will be crucial.
The first step is to exercise the mayor's Charter-given authority to appoint a police chief who believes all residents of our city should be protected from those that mean to do them harm.

Public safety is also not just the police (e.g., Fire). Other departments are also deserving of resources necessary to ensure the safety of our public. A review of budget priorities and a thorough audit would be needed to ensure other aspects of community safety are effectively supported.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
telephone 5072548164
Campaign Email joe@powersformayor.com
Rochester has been my family's home for four generations. I have spent more than four decades creating jobs, supporting local organizations, and investing in our community. Through my experience leading businesses, working alongside nonprofits, and partnering with residents across Rochester, I understand both the opportunities and challenges our city faces. I am not running to represent special interests or political agendas, I am running to put Rochester first. I bring a practical, results-driven approach focused on listening, building consensus, and ensuring city government works efficiently and effectively for the people it serves. My goal is to help Rochester remain a safe, affordable, and thriving community for generations to come.
My top priorities will be affordability, public safety, and responsible growth. I will focus on keeping Rochester affordable by supporting housing options for all income levels and ensuring city decisions consider their impact on taxpayers. I will support strong public safety services and ensure first responders have the resources they need to keep our neighborhoods safe. I will promote thoughtful growth that strengthens infrastructure, supports local businesses, and preserves Rochester.
Trust in government begins with transparency. As mayor, I will prioritize open communication, clear reporting on city decisions and spending, and meaningful opportunities for public input. I believe residents deserve to understand how decisions are made and how tax dollars are being used. I will encourage a culture of accountability throughout city government, establish clear expectations for ethical conduct, and ensure decisions are made in the best interest of Rochester residents.
Listening will be one of my most important responsibilities as mayor. I will meet with residents, neighborhood groups, business owners, nonprofit leaders, and community organizations to hear their concerns and ideas. I will use town halls, community meetings, online engagement, and direct outreach to ensure people have multiple ways to participate. Good decisions happen when city leaders listen first, and I am committed to making sure every resident has a voice in Rochester's future.
I will support a well-trained, well-equipped police department and strong partnerships between law enforcement and the community. Public safety requires collaboration among police, fire, emergency services, schools, businesses, and residents. I will work to ensure first responders have the resources they need while encouraging community engagement and proactive strategies that build trust, prevent crime, and keep Rochester a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.