NORTH MANKATO — Just over a week after the North Mankato election filing period opened, two more incumbents have thrown their hat in the ring and are running for re-election.
Current Mayor Scott Carlson and Council member Matt Peterson have both filed for re-election, joining a growing field of candidates ahead of the July 28 filing deadline.
Carlson has served as mayor since 2022 and ran unopposed when he won re-election in 2024. Peterson’s council seat is one of two up for election this year, along with the seat currently held by incumbent Sandra Oachs.
When filing opened at City Hall, mayoral and council candidates respectively, Joe Tougas and Benton Bakke were the first to enter the race. They were joined by council candidates Danielle Bollman and Oachs, who announced they would campaign together as a slate focused on transparency, accountability and greater public participation in local government.
Tougas said the group came together after more than a year of discussions about local issues and attending City Council meetings, arguing residents need more opportunities to be heard in city government.
Oachs has endorsed Tougas, Bakke and Bollman and said she plans to campaign alongside them. Peter Garner — who’s campaign is centered around integrity, transparency and community — and Patrick Cusack also filed for council seats.
Candidate filing remains open through 5 p.m. July 28. Council members Billy Steiner and Jim Whitlock are not up for re-election until 2028.