Who is Running for Rochester, MN Mayor in 2026

**Don't forget: Primaries are on Tuesday, August 11th.

A big race this year in Rochester is the race for Mayor. Mayor Kim Norton announced she is not running again, and many people have put their name in the ring to run.

So who are these people? It can be hard to keep track of. I did some research on the following questions to get a rough overview of who these candidates are to hopefully help guide you in your decision on who to vote for:

How long they've been in Rochester
What they do for a living
What they've done for the city of Rochester
Why they're running for Mayor

A quick note: Do your own research as well in order to make your best decision on who you think will be a good Mayor for Rochester. I wanted to put this together as a starting point, not an end-all-be-all.

ALSO READ: The Four Most Affordable and Beautiful State Parks in MN

Who Is Running for Rochester, MN Mayor

Axe (Abdimajid) Ahmed
(pronunciation: ax ab-dee-ma-jeed ah-med)

How long they've been in Rochester -
Rochester native, graduated from John Marshall High School.

What they do for a living -
Founder and CEO of Axlete Consulting Group.

What they've done for the city of Rochester -
He serves on the Rochester Planning and Zoning Commission and on the Rochester Downtown Alliance board.

Why they're running for Mayor -
"I'm running for mayor because residents should see the whole picture, not just the ribbon-cuttings. I read the budgets, the staff reports, the fine print. I do the homework. And I'll show you all of it."

Molly Dennis

How long they've been in Rochester -
Mayo Clinic brought her family to Rochester in 2007. Originally from Rapid City, SD.

What they do for a living -
Her background is in teaching and human services.

What they've done for the city of Rochester -
She has spent many years volunteering as well as served as the representative for Ward 6 on the Rochester City Council from 2021 - 2025.

Why they're running for Mayor -
"I ran for public office because I love Rochester and want it to be an amazing place for future generations. As I had promised to do back in 2020 when elected to the City Council, I will continue to advocate for you."

Walé Elegbede
(pronunciation: wa-lay e-leg-bed-day)

How long they've been in Rochester -
He's lived in Rochester for over a decade. Originally from Nigeria.

What they do for a living -
He's the Director of Strategy Management Services at Mayo Clinic.

What they've done for the city of Rochester -
He's president of the Rochester Branch of the NAACP, co-founded the RISE for Youth Program, and serves on the cabinet leadership committee for the Women's Shelter and Support Center. He also previously served on the Rochester Police Policy Oversight Commission and the Olmsted County Human Rights Commission.

Why they're running for Mayor -
"Dr. Walé Elegbede is running for Mayor because he believes Rochester deserves leadership that listens to residents, solves problems, tells the truth, and brings people together."

Jess Garcia

How long they've been in Rochester -
She moved to Rochester in 2016, moved away for a little while, and has lived in her current home in SE Rochester since 2020. Originally from Arizona.

What they do for a living -
According to her campaign website, she works for "the forensic psychiatric facility as an administrator" and is currently the assistant direct of the psychology department and internship training director for their predoctoral internship program. She also mentions that if she is elected Mayor of Rochester she plans to leave her full-time job because she believes the role of Mayor is a full-time job by itself.

What they've done for the city of Rochester -
She served on the Rochester Public Schools Board from 2021 - 2024. Not for the city but the state overall, she is also a member of the Governor's Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans since 2023.

Why they're running for Mayor -
"As someone who has directly served Minnesotans since I arrived in 2016, reengaging in public service at the local government level just makes sense."
"I'm in it for us - the people of Rochester."

Ayub HajiOmar
(pronunciation: uh-yoob ha-gee-o-mar)

How long they've been in Rochester -
He is a lifelong Rochester resident.

What they do for a living -
He has a background in structural engineering and fine arts. He also has worked as a substitute teacher for Rochester Public Schools.

What they've done for the city of Rochester -
He's been a part of the six-year Discovery Walk project as well as represented Rochester through the International Relations Committee.

Why they're running for Mayor -
"For more than a decade, I have worked alongside neighbors, city leaders, businesses, and community partners to strengthen the place we all call home. Leadership starts by showing up, listening, and doing the work."

Jerrod Lucker

How long they've been in Rochester -
He moved to Rochester from St. Paul in 2022.

What they do for a living -
He is a certified health coach, musician, and educator.

What they've done for the city of Rochester -
I've seen him out supporting local non-profits, like The Landing at the Lace Up For Hope 5k. He also mentions having served in public service on his campaign website.

Why they're running for Mayor -
"As your mayor, I will be a fixer and your champion to improve housing, invest in our parks, support small businesses, and partner with major employers."

Joe Powers

How long they've been in Rochester -
He has lived in Rochester his whole life.

What they do for a living -
He owns Powers Ventures, which is the parent company of Pinnacle Catering, Canadian Honker, J.Powers at the Hilton, Rochester Event Center, Mayowood Stone Barn, and The Hubble House.

What they've done for the city of Rochester -
Through a donor-advised fund at the Rochester Area Foundation, he has pledged to donate 10% of his annual net profits to local non-profits. He has served on local boards and helped start the Community Food Response.

Why they're running for Mayor -
"Our city’s future depends on making sure Rochester stays affordable, safe, welcoming, and connected for generations to come. Joe’s priorities are about real solutions that will improve neighborhoods, support families, and improve quality of life."

Benjamin Zastrow

How long they've been in Rochester -
He has lived in Rochester for a few years (I wasn't able to find an exact number on his campaign website), but his wife grew up here and they decided to move their family here.

What they do for a living -
He has helped build and run small businesses for two decades. He owns Zastrow and Zastrow, a photography business.

What they've done for the city of Rochester -
He was the President of the Lowertown Neighborhood Association. He also was appointed twice by Mayor Norton and unanimously confirmed by the City Council as chair of the Heritage Preservation Commission. He also completed the Rochester Police Community Academy in 2025 and, in 2023, did a shift ride-along, to "better understand modern policing practices in our community".

Why they're running for Mayor -
"Rochester is at a crossroads. Growth is accelerating, affordability is tightening, and trust in city leadership is wearing thin. I am running to provide steady, practical leadership rooted in community, informed by our history, and focused on results, because Rochester cannot wait."