Jimmy Francis will serve another term as South St. Paul mayor.
Tuesday’s results 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. Northfield residents chose a new mayor, while Shakopee voters decided to retain two council members.
Lakeville City Council
Two incumbents will hold onto their seats on the 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. Close behind was incumbent John Bermel, a chaplain at an assisted living facility and former police officer.
The race, in which Wolter and Bermel were challenged by Drew Boxrud, 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.