Scott Carlson
MN · Mayor of North Mankato
Scott Carlson has been mayor of North Mankato since 2022 and is an elementary physical education teacher and longtime local coach. His priorities are more affordable housing, including community land trusts, and incentives to draw small businesses.
Where Scott Carlson stands, based on their records
Supports
Public Safety and Crime Control (1 record), Housing Affordability (1 record), Public Infrastructure (5 records)
Mixed record
Government Spending Reduction (1 support · 6 oppose)
Track record
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 1 support · 6 oppose
Voted yes on a $21.5 million maximum price to build the new public works building, and on buying its land from the Port Authority. Both passed 3-2.
June 1, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cms2.revize.com
Voted yes on committing up to $130,000 in city funds to a community land trust for affordable housing, run with Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership. Passed 5-0.
May 18, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cms2.revize.com
Voted no on asking state lawmakers to raise the local sales tax from 0.5% to 1.25% for 25 years, about $50 million. He said he did not want a sales tax without voter consent. Failed 1-4. He also voted no on the city's lobbying list after asking to drop its sales tax request; it failed 2-3.
January 20, 2026Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: cms2.revize.com
Voted yes on a city law letting the Port Authority borrow up to $27 million for a new public works building on Timm Road, backed by city property taxes. He said he did not want to rebuild on an old dump site. Passed 3-1.
January 5, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cms2.revize.com
Made the motion to borrow $2.26 million for North Mankato's share of the All Seasons Arena project. A property tax of about $210,000 a year for 15 years repays it. Passed 3-0.
May 20, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cms2.revize.com
Voted yes on the 2024 city budget of about $32.2 million and a property tax levy 12.93% higher than the year before. Both passed 5-0.
December 18, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cms2.revize.com
Voted yes on asking the state to let North Mankato extend its local sales tax and sell bonds backed by it. The money was for regional projects, including a planned indoor recreation center. Passed 4-1.
January 17, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cms2.revize.com
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 1 support
Voted yes on a city law that bans carrying machetes, hatchets, and other large blades on public property. Passed 4-0.
November 20, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: cms2.revize.com
Track record — Housing Affordability
Housing Affordability · 1 support
Voted yes on committing up to $130,000 in city funds to a community land trust for affordable housing, run with Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership. Passed 5-0.
May 18, 2026Supports Housing Affordability
Source: cms2.revize.com
Track record — Public Infrastructure
Public Infrastructure · 5 support
Voted yes on a $21.5 million maximum price to build the new public works building, and on buying its land from the Port Authority. Both passed 3-2.
June 1, 2026Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: cms2.revize.com
Voted no on a motion to stop the bond sale for the new public works building. Failed 2-3.
February 2, 2026Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: cms2.revize.com
Voted yes on a city law letting the Port Authority borrow up to $27 million for a new public works building on Timm Road, backed by city property taxes. He said he did not want to rebuild on an old dump site. Passed 3-1.
January 5, 2026Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: cms2.revize.com
Made the motion to borrow $2.26 million for North Mankato's share of the All Seasons Arena project. A property tax of about $210,000 a year for 15 years repays it. Passed 3-0.
May 20, 2024Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: cms2.revize.com
Voted yes on asking the state to let North Mankato extend its local sales tax and sell bonds backed by it. The money was for regional projects, including a planned indoor recreation center. Passed 4-1.
January 17, 2023Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: cms2.revize.com
Track record — General
General · 3 records
Made the motion to set aside a proposed one-year ban on new data centers for more discussion, after a motion to pass it got no second. Passed 4-0.
August 3, 2026
Source: cms2.revize.com
Voted yes on paying for a soil study of the planned site for a new public works building. Two members wanted to keep looking at the old site. Passed 3-2.
October 20, 2025
Source: cms2.revize.com
Won the open race for North Mankato mayor, beating three other candidates.
November 8, 2022
Source: keyc.com
Past race Scott Carlson ran in:
- Mayor · November 3, 2026 · North Mankato city, Minnesota · incumbent