Steve Downer
MN · Mayor of Buffalo, Minnesota
Retired after 32 years with the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association and sits on the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency board; is a longtime former Buffalo City Council member. He pledges to listen, find the best solutions and be a good steward of limited city money.
Where Steve Downer stands, based on their records
Supports
Public Infrastructure (2 records)
Mixed record
Environment and Public Health (1 support · 1 oppose), Government Spending Reduction (1 support · 3 oppose)
Track record
Track record — Environment and Public Health
Environment and Public Health · 1 support · 1 oppose
Moved to add a $5.67 per kilowatt monthly charge for home solar systems above 3 kilowatts, and to study utility rates further. It passed 4-1.
January 17, 2023Opposes Environment and Public Health
Source: ci.buffalo.mn.us
Moved to approve electric vehicle rebates offered by the city's utility. It passed 5-0.
July 18, 2022Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: ci.buffalo.mn.us
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 1 support · 3 oppose
Cast the only vote against starting an application for a city-run cannabis store license, and against a $6,350 budget for it. Both passed 3-1.
March 3, 2025Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: ci.buffalo.mn.us
Moved to buy land on Highway 55 for a second city electric substation. It passed 5-0.
August 7, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: ci.buffalo.mn.us
Moved to approve electric vehicle rebates offered by the city's utility. It passed 5-0.
July 18, 2022Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: ci.buffalo.mn.us
Moved a resolution supporting an extension of the Wright County local sales tax that pays for road projects. It passed 5-0.
November 1, 2021Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: ci.buffalo.mn.us
Track record — Public Infrastructure
Public Infrastructure · 2 support
Moved to buy land on Highway 55 for a second city electric substation. It passed 5-0.
August 7, 2023Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: ci.buffalo.mn.us
Moved a resolution supporting an extension of the Wright County local sales tax that pays for road projects. It passed 5-0.
November 1, 2021Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: ci.buffalo.mn.us
Track record — General
General · 10 records
Moved to adopt a zoning change allowing cannabis sales and growing in set parts of the city. It passed 5-0.
December 2, 2024
Source: ci.buffalo.mn.us
Was elected mayor of Buffalo with no listed opponent, receiving 6,355 votes.
November 5, 2024
Source: electionresultsfiles.sos.mn.gov
Moved to approve a 20-year property tax break to help a local business owner redevelop a downtown site. It passed 3-1.
November 6, 2023
Source: ci.buffalo.mn.us
Moved the first reading of a temporary ban on cannabis businesses while state rules took shape. It passed 5-0.
August 21, 2023
Source: ci.buffalo.mn.us
Voted against a zoning change setting where THC and cannabinoid products may be sold. It passed 3-1.
March 20, 2023
Source: ci.buffalo.mn.us
Moved to extend Buffalo's power supply contract with the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency for 10 more years. It passed 3-2.
November 21, 2022
Source: ci.buffalo.mn.us
Moved a temporary ban on the sale and making of hemp-derived THC food and drinks in Buffalo. It passed 4-1.
August 1, 2022
Source: ci.buffalo.mn.us
Voted against changing city rules on drinking alcohol on public property. The change passed 3-1.
June 21, 2022
Source: ci.buffalo.mn.us
Won re-election to the Buffalo City Council with the most votes in a race for two seats, receiving 2,854 votes.
November 3, 2020
Source: electionresultsfiles.sos.mn.gov
Won a seat on the Buffalo City Council with the most votes in a race for two seats, receiving 3,233 votes.
November 8, 2016
Source: electionresultsfiles.sos.mn.gov
Past race Steve Downer ran in:
- Mayor · November 3, 2026 · Buffalo city, Minnesota · incumbent