South metro elections: Mayor Jimmy Francis re-elected in South St. Paul

Jimmy Francis will serve another term as South St. Paul mayor.

Tuesday’s results, with all precincts reporting, show incumbent Francis beating middle school teacher Mark J. Westpfahl by a narrow margin.

During the campaign, Francis framed his eight-year tenure as a period of significant economic growth, touting on his website new construction he oversaw in South St. Paul.

The mayor’s race in this 20,000-person suburb was one contest across the south metro to watch.

Elsewhere, voters gave two incumbent Lakeville City Council members additional terms. Results for races in Shakopee and Northfield had yet to roll in late Tuesday night.

Two incumbents will hold onto their seats on Lakeville City Council.

Incumbent Dan Wolter, a government relations director for Hy-Vee and former Metropolitan Council member, earned the largest share of votes in this southern suburb, Tuesday’s results show. Close behind was incumbent John Bermel, a chaplain at an assisted living facility and former police officer.

With all precincts reporting, Wolter and Bermel fended off a challenge from Drew Boxrud.

The race largely revolved around public safety and managing development in the fast-growing city.

Wolter previously said he wants to ensure police and fire departments keep pace with Lakeville’s surging population and attract national brands to the city. Bermel’s campaign pledges included adequately funding first responders and keeping taxes low.

Ruth Dahl and Erica Zweifel are competing for the top city post after beating current Mayor Rhonda Pownell in the August primary. Results weren’t reported as of 12:15 a.m. Wednesday.

Dahl, who served on the Northfield school board for nearly two decades, has pledged to slash spending, scaling back public projects to avoid property tax increases.

Zweifel, a former three-term City Council member, has pledged to prioritize projects the city can afford and draw businesses to increase Northfield’s tax base.

Shakopee residents cast votes Tuesday in a crowded race for two at-large City Council seats as the suburb grapples with issues like growth, taxes and public safety. Results weren’t reported as of 12:15 a.m. Wednesday.

Incumbents Jesse Lara and Jay Whiting face six challengers for their two at-large seats. Also running are former Council Member Mike Luce, Ken Ludzack, Carter McNew, Mustafa Sandhu, Jeff Shafland and former Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Yttreness.

The election comes at a pivotal time for the Scott County city, whose population has doubled in the past two decades to about 45,000.

During the campaign, council candidates offered competing visions for how much the city should grow and who should pay for it. They also pitched plans for the city’s Fire Department, which has been undergoing an overhaul since consultants found glaring problems with its training, management and handling of gift offers.