MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Four Candidates, One City: Brooklyn Park's Mayoral Race Heads Toward August Primary

BROOKLYN PARK, MN (June 6, 2026) The field is set, the campaign season is underway, and one of Minnesota's most consequential municipal elections is headed for a summer primary.

Following the close of the candidate filing period on June 2, four familiar names emerged as contenders for the mayor's office in Brooklyn Park, setting the stage for a competitive contest that will help determine the future direction of Minnesota's sixth-largest city.

Incumbent Mayor Hollies Winston will seek a second term against challenges from current City Council Members Maria Tran and Shelle Page, along with former City Council Member Boyd Morson.

Because four candidates filed for the office, Brooklyn Park will hold a municipal primary election on August 11, 2026, reducing the field to two candidates who will advance to the November 3 general election.

The race arrives at a pivotal moment for a city that has become one of Minnesota's most diverse and rapidly evolving communities, balancing growth, economic development, public safety concerns, housing pressures, infrastructure needs, and major regional transportation investments.

A Growing City at a Crossroads

With a population exceeding 86,000 residents, Brooklyn Park has transformed over the past several decades from a primarily suburban community into a major economic and cultural center in the northwest Twin Cities metropolitan area.

The city has invested heavily in redevelopment initiatives, workforce development strategies, housing projects, and transit planning efforts, including preparations connected to the future Blue Line Light Rail Extension.

As a result, the mayor's office carries significant influence over issues that directly affect residents' daily lives, including public safety, neighborhood development, business recruitment, infrastructure improvements, parks, housing affordability, and long-term strategic planning.

The election will determine who guides those conversations through the remainder of the decade.

Hollies Winston Seeks a Second Term

Winston enters the race as the incumbent and one of the city's most recognizable political figures.

In 2022, he became Brooklyn Park's first Black mayor after winning a special election and later securing a full term. During his initial campaign, Winston emphasized public safety, economic opportunity, workforce development, and responsible management of property taxes.

Since taking office, Winston has frequently highlighted efforts to strengthen economic growth, attract investment, expand employment opportunities, and position Brooklyn Park as a regional destination for business and innovation.

Supporters credit his administration with advancing development initiatives and increasing Brooklyn Park's visibility throughout the metropolitan region. Critics argue the city faces ongoing challenges that require a different leadership approach.

The election will provide voters an opportunity to assess Winston's record and determine whether they want continuity or change.

Maria Tran's Challenge

Council Member Maria Tran enters the mayoral race after serving on the City Council during a period marked by both policy debates and public controversy.

Tran drew regional attention in 2024 after a majority of her council colleagues voted to censure her for alleged violations of the city's Respectful Workplace Policy.

Following the censure, Tran filed a defamation lawsuit against the city and several council members.

A district court judge later dismissed the lawsuit, but Tran appealed the decision. Oral arguments in the appeal are currently scheduled for July 2026.

Throughout the dispute, Tran has maintained that the allegations against her were unfounded and has publicly challenged the city's handling of the matter.

The legal proceedings have become one of the most closely watched political stories in Brooklyn Park government over the past two years.

Shelle Page Expands the Contest

Council Member Shelle Page, who represents Brooklyn Park's Central District, is the second sitting council member seeking the mayor's office.

Page announced her candidacy this spring, arguing that Brooklyn Park would benefit from a new leadership approach as the city continues to grow.

Her current council term extends through January 2029.

Page's entry into the race ensures that two members of the current governing body will compete directly against the incumbent mayor, creating an unusual dynamic in which multiple city leaders are asking voters to choose between differing visions emerging from the same council chamber.

Boyd Morson Returns to the Political Arena

Former council member Boyd Morson rounds out the field.

Morson previously served on the City Council and is seeking a return to city leadership through the mayor's office.

His tenure on the council was marked by controversy. The council voted to censure Morson on two separate occasions. One action stemmed from allegations involving inappropriate physical contact with a city employee, while a second censure involved allegations that he contributed to a hostile workplace environment.

Morson has consistently disputed the allegations and challenged the conclusions reached by the council.

His candidacy brings another experienced, though polarizing, figure into an already crowded field.

Why the Primary Matters

The August primary may prove every bit as consequential as the November election.

With four candidates competing for a single office, the primary will determine which two contenders remain standing heading into the fall campaign.

Municipal primaries often attract lower voter turnout than general elections, meaning a relatively small number of voters can significantly influence the trajectory of the race.

Candidates will likely spend the coming weeks working to define themselves and distinguish their records on issues ranging from public safety and economic development to housing affordability, infrastructure investment, fiscal management, and community trust in local government.

Key Election Dates

June 26 – August 10, 2026
Early voting for the municipal primary

August 11, 2026
Municipal Primary Election

September 18 – November 2, 2026
Early voting for the general election

November 3, 2026
General Election

Residents can obtain election information, polling locations, voter registration details, and sample ballots through the City's election resources.

A Contest That Will Shape Brooklyn Park's Future

Municipal elections rarely command the attention given to presidential or gubernatorial races. Yet local officials often make the decisions residents experience most directly.

The next mayor of Brooklyn Park will help oversee development decisions affecting thousands of residents, guide conversations surrounding public safety and housing, manage relationships with regional partners, and influence how one of Minnesota's most diverse communities navigates future growth.

For now, the campaign begins with four candidates, one city, and a summer primary that will determine who advances to the final stage of one of Minnesota's most closely watched local elections.

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