Boeke keeps seat; Gnemi, Rand, McManimon win

The lone incumbent in the Owatonna City Council races defeated two challengers to retain his position.

Dan Boeke, council member at-large, picked up nearly 49% of the votes. He was first appointed to the council in July 2021 to complete the term of Jeff Okerberg, who died in office. Boeke won his first formal election to the seat in 2022.

Joseph Petersen and Tony Jurowski had 26.8% and 23.2%, respectively.

Ward 1

Tim McManimon has defeated Brad Flemming to win the Ward 1 seat on Owatonna City Council.

The former bank president picked up 54.3% of the vote to Flemming’s 45%, with 214 votes separating the two.

The seat has been held by Nate Dotson since 2010; he did not file for reelection.

Ward 3

Rick Gnemi will step into the Ward 3 seat in January, which has been held by Dave Burbank since 2010. Burbank did not seek reelection.

Gnemi won 41.4% of the vote, topping challengers Sarah Sanchez and Marcy Kim Busho with 26.9% and 23.2%, respectively. Ethan Becker, who ended his campaign last month, had 7.9% of the vote.

Gnemi will be the only new council member with experience in elected office; he served as a Steele County Commissioner from 2016-2024.

Ward 5

Rebecca Rand defeated three other newcomers to claim the seat for Owatonna City Council’s Ward 5.

She collected 30.6% of the votes, or 674.

Melissa Danielson had 511 votes, or 23.2%; Bruce Nelson earned 495 votes (22.5%); Dale Fairbanks had 486 votes (22.1%).

Rand succeeds Brent Svenby, who held the seat for 20 years. He did not file for reelection.