Incumbents Hold Anoka-Hennepin School Board Seats Amid State-Wide Funding Battles

ANOKA COUNTY, MN — November 5, 2025 — In a political contest marked by sharp local division and heavy outside spending, Anoka-Hennepin School Board incumbents successfully retained all three seats up for election on Tuesday, November 4. The outcome in Minnesota’s largest district, which serves over 37,000 students, occurred as voters statewide signaled strong support for increased school funding.

The re-election of Kacy Deschene (District 3), Matt Audette (District 4), and Jeff Simon (District 6) maintains the current, often contentious, ideological split on the six-member board, a division that has previously impacted budget and curriculum decisions.

Decisive District Victories

Voters delivered clear wins to the incumbents, though District 6 was decided by a narrow margin:

• District 3: Incumbent Kacy Deschene defeated challenger Lorraine Coan, 3,441 votes (55.95%) to 2,694 (43.80%).
• District 4: Matt Audette retained his seat with 5,115 votes (56.57%) against Abbey Payeur’s 3,921 (43.36%).
• District 6: Jeff Simon narrowly edged out Tiffany Strabala, 3,232 votes (50.56%) to 3,145 (49.20%).

Record Campaign Spending Highlights Local Tension

The races drew national and local attention, largely due to an unprecedented level of financial activity. Reports indicate that conservative political groups poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into the contests in an attempt to reshape the board's direction.

One source noted that spending by conservative-aligned groups alone totaled over $300,000 in the Anoka-Hennepin races, showcasing the intense focus on local educational governance.

Context: Statewide Levy Support

These local board results coincide with a generally favorable environment for school funding requests across Minnesota. While specific Anoka-Hennepin levy questions were not detailed in the election results, statewide trends showed voters approved nearly two-thirds of operating levies—funding critical for day-to-day costs like staffing and curriculum—demonstrating public commitment to education despite ongoing fiscal pressures.

The Anoka-Hennepin School Board Canvassing Board is slated to meet on Monday, November 10, to formally certify these unofficial election results.

Minneapolimedia