County Commissioner District 5
August 11, 2026 · Ramsey County, Minnesota · County · primary
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Low · 14 out of 100
This district is large for its type, so each vote is a smaller slice of the outcome. About 542,945 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(1,269,496 ÷ 542,945) ÷ ln(1,269,496 ÷ 3,243) = 14.23, comparing counties in MN (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
Low representation + unknown decisiveness → Below average vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
County Commissioner is responsible for:
- Passing county rules and the county budget
- Setting property tax rates that fund county services
- Overseeing county departments such as roads, parks, and public health
- Deciding land use in areas outside city limits
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Government Efficiency, Healthcare Affordability, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Social Programs and Welfare, Public Infrastructure
Candidates
Charles S Barklind
Nonpartisan · declared
Charles S Barklind is a Saint Paul resident and repeat nonpartisan candidate for Ramsey County Commissioner District 5. He previously ran for this seat in 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022; focused research found no elected or appointed governmental service.
María Isa Pérez-Vega
Nonpartisan · declared
María Isa Pérez-Vega is the Minnesota state representative for District 65B, first elected in 2022 and now serving her second term. She is a Saint Paul business owner, hip-hop artist, youth-programming director, and community organizer and chairs the Minnesota House Saint Paul delegation.
Rebecca Noecker
Nonpartisan · declared
Rebecca Noecker is the Saint Paul City Council president and Ward 2 councilmember, serving on the council since 2016. A former teacher and education nonprofit leader, she previously served on the Saint Paul Planning Commission and holds a social studies degree from Harvard.
Election sources
Source: candidates.sos.mn.gov
Source: revisor.mn.gov
Source: revisor.mn.gov
Source: ramseycountymn.gov