Vihrachoff, Leifeld and Lawrence file for re-election

Ward 2 will have contested race

Staff Report
Posted 6/10/24

With his final day filing to run for re-election in Ward 4 Tuesday morning, Tim Lawrence filled a spot on the last open race for this fall in the City of Hastings. One Hastings City Council seat in …

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Vihrachoff, Leifeld and Lawrence file for re-election

Ward 2 will have contested race

Posted

With his final day filing to run for re-election in Ward 4 Tuesday morning, Tim Lawrence filled a spot on the last open race for this fall in the City of Hastings.
One Hastings City Council seat in each of the four wards will be on the ballot this fall.
The city election will be held along with the Presidential election and state races on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
As of early Tuesday afternoon, hours before the filing deadline of 5 p.m., incumbents DawnMarie Vihrachoff filed in Ward 1, and Lisa Leifeld filed in Ward 3, in addition to Lawrence in Ward 4.
Ward 2 will have a contested race. Mya Beck filed to run for the position Monday morning, and Wendi Shilts-Johnson filed Monday afternoon.
The Ward 2 seat is being vacated by Jen Fox, who has filed to run for Minnesota House Representative in District 41B, which represents the Hastings area and southern portion of Cottage Grove.
Not on the ballot this year are the seats for mayor (Mayor Mary Fasbender was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022) or the two at-large city council seats (Dave Pemble and Angie Haus were elected in 2022). Those seats will be on the ballot in 2026.
The last day for a candidate to withdraw from the election is Thursday, June 6 at 5 p.m.
In announcement Monday, Beck said she is eager to make a difference in the community. She described herself as a wife, mother and healthcare auditor.
Among her top issues is ensuring clean water for Hastings residents.
“I plan to work with state and county officials to ensure water treatment facilities can be built quickly,” she said. “I plan to be an advocate for every Hastings resident. That means keeping our water and parks clean, while also fighting any effort to create new local taxes.”
Beck and her family bought their first home in Hastings after the birth of their first son. They plan to raise and grow their family here.