Randy Schubring wins seat as Rochester City Council President

ROCHESTER — Randy Schubring, director of community engagement at the Mayo Clinic who championed progressive causes during his campaign, will become the next president of the Rochester City Council.

Schubring defeated current District 5 councilman Sean Palmer by nearly four points. controversial campaign the only at-large seat on the council.

Schubring, who took time off during the election campaign, said he would quit Mayo if he won. Palmer, who was first elected to the council in 2018, still has two years left on his term.

In northwest Rochester, Lutheran pastor Dan Doering defeated Mark Schleisner by more than seven points to take the sixth ward seat now held by embattled Council Member Molly Dennis.

On the city’s east side, business owner Andy Friederichs ousted Councilman Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick in District 4. The election, which had 6,436 votes cast, was decided by 190 votes.

In Ward 2, on the city’s west side, financial analyst Nick Miller led Tripp Welch, Mayo Clinic’s administrative chief, by nearly 6 points.

Schubring, Doering and Miller were endorsed by Faith in Minnesota, a progressive group that made inroads in Rochester this election cycle.

In the only two contested races for Olmsted County Council, incumbent Gregg Wright defeated April Suitor in District 3 and Bob Hopkins led Tavonda Burks in District 6.