LWV Rochester Candidate Forums for the General Election | Rochester Public Library
All forums are free and open to the public with no registration required. As a service to local voters, LWV Rochester, in partnership with the Rochester Post Bulletin, the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Rochester Public Library, is conducting Candidate Forums for local, contested positions that will be on the ballot in the November 3, 2026 election.
Attend in person or watch the livestream on the Rochester Public Library’s YouTube channel. The livestream link will also be accessible from the LWV Rochester website and recordings will be available for later viewing from both sites.
Questions for the candidates may be submitted ahead of time by using the position-specific links below or, if you prefer, email them to LWVRochester@LWVMN.org, or leave a voice or text message at 507-722-0615.
All forums, with the exception of the 10/1/26 School Board forum, will be held in the Rochester Public Library auditorium.
For forums starting at 6:00, Doors will open at 5:30 PM
For forums starting at 6:30, Doors will open at 6:00 PM
For forums starting at 7:00, Doors will open at 6:45 PM
LWV Rochester Candidate Forums for the General Election
Tues. Sept. 8, 6:30-7:30 PM
MN Senator District 20 – Steve Jacob and Jason Lohmann
Submit a question for Senate District 20: https://forms.gle/yLSMvfkoaCSvZiFF9
Wed. Sept. 9, 6:30-7:30 PM
MN Senator District 24 – Simon Glaser and Nels Pierson
Submit a question for Senate District 24: https://forms.gle/eZLvdjN9pmi1FyT27
Thurs. Sept. 10, 6:30-7:30 PM
MN Senator District 25 – Liz Boldon and John Howie
Submit a question for Senate District 25: https://forms.gle/5HoNzN9GpVqeUENG7
Mon. Sept. 14, 6:30-7:30 PM
MN Representative 20B – Sara Bertschinger and Steve Holm
Submit a question for House District 20B: https://forms.gle/TWXi2o4wj6XDt9X6A
Tues. Sept. 15, 6:30-7:30 PM
MN Representative 24A – Heather Holmes and Duane Quam
Submit a question for House District 24A: https://forms.gle/3CHTBRo6TrvZBdqL8
Wed., Sept. 16, 6:30-7:30 PM
MN Representative 24B – John Ajouri and Tina Liebling
Submit a question for House District 24B: https://forms.gle/7u4TmrzNkTbas1td8
Thurs., Sept. 17, 6:30-7:30 PM
MN Representative 25A – Kim Hicks and Brad Trahan
Submit a question for House District 25A: https://forms.gle/gWVzStpXqg2qJJjBA
Mon. Sept. 21, 6:30-7:30 PM
MN Representative 25B – Wes Lund and Andy Smith
Submit a question for House District 25B: https://forms.gle/sgmqdqoF5tfq9PLp8
Wed. Sept. 23, 6:30 PM-7:30
Olmsted County Attorney – Karen MacLaughlin and Michael Walters
Submit a question for Olmsted County Attorney: https://forms.gle/JmZHThmLGgt8JRxt7
Thurs. Sept. 24
6:00-6:45 PM – Olmsted County Comm. District 6 – Bob Hopkins and Michael Wojcik
7:00-7:45 PM – Olmsted County Comm. District 2 – Gabe Perkins and Dave Senjem
Submit a question Olmsted County Commissioner: https://forms.gle/DJYLv1QSa4XSq8Kv7
Mon. Sept. 28
6:00-6:45 PM – Soil & Water District 1 – Kevin Connelly, Pernell Meier, and Jesse O’Driscoll
7:00-7:45 PM – Soil & Water District 3 – John Pries and James Tully
Submit a question for Soil & Water Districts: https://forms.gle/6Ts4MiL7fEyLToTU9
Tues. Sept. 29
6:00-6:45 PM – City Council Ward 5 – Ruchi Gupta and Shaun Palmer
7:00-7:45 PM – City Council Ward 3 – LaMar Hicks and Norman Wahl
Submit a question for City Council Candidates: https://forms.gle/zExQvnP687b7CGUU6
Wed., Sept. 30
6:00-6:45 PM – City Council Ward 1 – Patrick Keane and Lisa Ross
7:00-7:45 PM – Rochester Mayor – Jess Garcia and Joe Powers
Submit a question for City Council: https://forms.gle/zExQvnP687b7CGUU6
Submit a question for Mayor: https://forms.gle/n7Ru2R1aL3urNj7K8
Thurs. Oct. 1 – Located at RCTC Heintz Center Commons
Enter via doors on OMC/west side (Door H15 or H16)
6:30 PM-8:40 – Rochester School Board
(2 hours with candidates plus a 10-minute break)
Candidates are Joe Christenson, Justin Cook, Pat Farmer, Ana Folpe, Flora Howie, Josh Koestler, Joe LaForge, Jean Marvin, Cathy Nathan, and John Peck
Submit a question for school board: https://forms.gle/Ugp8yZ2C2Jph7Nmo6
Remember that campaign literature, buttons, signs, clothing, or any other campaign related items must not be visible in the auditoriums.
Thank you to our partners Rochester Public Library, Rochester Post Bulletin, and Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce.