Justin Ask
MN · Willmar City Council Member, Ward 3
Willmar Ward 3 council member since 2021 and the council's mayor pro tem, and lead pastor at Vinje Lutheran Church. His top priorities are more housing options and careful city budgeting.
Where Justin Ask stands, based on their records
Supports
Environment and Public Health (2 records), Public Safety and Crime Control (1 record), Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties (1 record),
Mixed record
Government Spending Reduction (4 support · 6 oppose)
Track record
Track record — Environment and Public Health
Environment and Public Health · 2 support
Voted to keep all of the Swansson Field parkland instead of selling part of it. The motion not to sell passed 7-1.
May 20, 2024Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: cms5.revize.com
Seconded a motion telling city managers to follow all Minnesota OSHA COVID-19 vaccination and testing rules for city workers. It passed 4-1.
January 3, 2022Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: cms5.revize.com
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 4 support · 6 oppose
Voted no on setting the preliminary 2027 property tax levy. It passed 6-1.
September 8, 2026Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: cms5.revize.com
Voted for an $8,197,392.50 contract with Kramer Service Group to build phase 1 of Willmar Connect, the city's fiber internet network (passed 5-3). He also voted to sell up to $9.2 million in bonds to pay for it (passed 6-2).
March 2, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cms5.revize.com
Voted no on a $631,826.71 roof replacement for the Willmar Public Library. It passed 5-1.
February 2, 2026Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: cms5.revize.com
Voted no on creating a new Economic and Community Development Specialist job in the planning department. It passed 4-2.
January 5, 2026Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: cms5.revize.com
Moved to overrule the Municipal Utilities Commission's February 2025 decision to buy land for a new utilities building. It passed 7-1.
April 7, 2025Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: cms5.revize.com
Moved to hire the firm Baker Tilly to recruit a new police chief. The motion failed 3-5.
November 4, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cms5.revize.com
Introduced an $85,900 public outreach and education plan for the city's broadband project (passed 5-2). He also seconded approval of the new city branding (passed 5-2).
February 5, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cms5.revize.com
Moved to adopt the city's 2024 budget after a public hearing where residents objected to the tax increase. It passed 7-1.
December 4, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cms5.revize.com
Introduced the resolution accepting bids and awarding contracts for the new Events and Recreation Center, a sales-tax-funded project. It passed 6-2.
May 17, 2021Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cms5.revize.com
Voted no on putting the sales-tax-funded Civic Center projects on hold while moving ahead with Swansson Field and Robbins Island. The motion failed 3-5.
March 1, 2021Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cms5.revize.com
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 1 support
Moved to revoke the THC license of High Cakes Recreational Dispensary after police found it kept selling illegal products. It passed 6-0.
December 18, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: cms5.revize.com
Track record — Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties · 1 support
Moved to end the city's contracts with Flock and remove its police license-plate cameras. The vote tied 3-3, and the mayor broke the tie against it.
September 21, 2026Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Source: cms5.revize.com
Track record — Public Infrastructure
Public Infrastructure · 3 support
Voted for an $8,197,392.50 contract with Kramer Service Group to build phase 1 of Willmar Connect, the city's fiber internet network (passed 5-3). He also voted to sell up to $9.2 million in bonds to pay for it (passed 6-2).
March 2, 2026Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: cms5.revize.com
Introduced the resolution accepting bids and awarding contracts for the new Events and Recreation Center, a sales-tax-funded project. It passed 6-2.
May 17, 2021Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: cms5.revize.com
Voted no on putting the sales-tax-funded Civic Center projects on hold while moving ahead with Swansson Field and Robbins Island. The motion failed 3-5.
March 1, 2021Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: cms5.revize.com
Track record — General
General · 7 records
Was chosen by fellow council members as mayor pro tem for four straight years. He also served on the county economic development and transit joint boards and the Willmar Human Rights Commission.
August 11, 2026
Source: wctrib.com
Worked as lead pastor at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar.
June 3, 2026
Source: wctrib.com
Moved to approve 2025 health insurance rates and city contributions for workers on the base pay scale. His motion failed 1-6.
October 21, 2024
Source: cms5.revize.com
Moved to create a city franchise fee on natural gas service, which passed 7-0. He voted against an amendment to spend the money only on streets, which failed 2-5.
August 5, 2024
Source: cms5.revize.com
Moved to adopt new 2024 electric rates for Willmar Municipal Utilities customers. The rate ordinance passed 6-1.
November 6, 2023
Source: cms5.revize.com
Seconded a motion to build the new city hall and community center in the former J.C. Penney building at the Uptown Mall. It failed 3-5.
August 21, 2023
Source: cms5.revize.com
Proposed charging a country music festival at Robbins Island a flat $10,000 fee plus city costs and $1 per ticket. His amendment failed 3-5.
July 18, 2022
Source: cms5.revize.com
Past race Justin Ask ran in:
- Mayor · November 3, 2026 · Willmar city, Minnesota