We put the same five questions to all of the Rochester mayoral candidates on the ballot for the August 9 primary election. Candidates were asked to keep their answers to under 100 words, and were given the opportunity to share a photo. These are the responses we received.

1) The office of mayor brings with it the potential to set the tone for all of city government. How would you exercise your power to put your campaign promises into action?

Dean Koutsoukos: What I have proposed during my campaign will be efficient to implement as it reflects an improvement on focus, not making drastic changes. It involves enhancing how we prioritize instead of replacing things. It involves upfront planning and addressing topics before they become problems. As mayor, I will use my voice to keep the focus on how Rochester became #1, and use my experience in working with the citizens, businesses, developers, designers, contractors and regulations to see that Rochester continues to have a bright future. I will work with the AGC, NSPE, SWE and similar organizations to promote STEM opportunities.

Kim Norton (I): Throughout my first term I worked with the council and staff to respond to the needs of our community. I prioritized the public’s health and worked to protect us from the devastating economic impacts brought by the pandemic. Moving forward, I will continue to help our community recover from the pandemic and improve the quality of life for all who live here. My focus on workforce development, fair and effective government processes, and environmentally-sound city planning will help us achieve these goals. I will continue to lead with civility, respect others’ views, involve the community and seek consensus when possible.

Brad Trahan: I will be visible in the community, promoting our energy and vibrancy. Officially, the Mayor’s powers are essentially limited to appointments, managing the police department, and potentially vetoing city council actions. If elected, I intend to be that cheerleader for Rochester. A ‘can-do’ attitude and positivity are building blocks needed for success. Former Mayor Ardell F. Brede and Business Entrepreneur Joe Powers switched their support from Kim Norton and have publicly endorsed me. They witnessed my leadership at many levels. They feel I am the best candidate to lead Rochester moving forward. I am honored by their support.

2) There are four candidates in this primary race. What unique experience and/or knowledge do you have that best positions you to be the city’s mayor?

Koutsoukos: As seen in the debates, I am not a fast talking politician who can gloss over important issues in minute. The issues that the other candidates are learning during their campaigns, I have been aware of, and have already been working on solutions. I have been working in public service for 30 years; working with budgets, conducting neighborhood meetings, developing logical, cost effective solutions to complex problems while operating within ordinance and statute limitations. As a volunteer, I have provided opportunities for our youth, especially in the areas of STEM programs that are the foundation for the careers in these areas.

Norton: I believe that my extensive experience in public service — nearly 4 years as Rochester’s Mayor and 10 years in the legislature and 8 years on school board — makes me the best choice to lead as we plan for our city’s future. I have led our city in good times and in tough times, providing the sensible and steady leadership we need to continue moving forward together. My collaborative approach to problem-solving, my commitment to civil discourse and my dedication to respecting all voices in our community will allow me to continue being an effective leader.

Trahan: I will be a consensus builder who leads by example. I have a history of bringing people together for a common cause. I am not just empty words and promises; I am action and commitment. I create solutions that involve everyone! My years of community involvement prove it. I chaired an 18-member Minnesota Autism Task Force with success. I have been involved in six legislative bills that passed at the state level. Locally, working with Mayo Clinic to provide insurance coverage for employee’s dependents diagnosed with autism; persistence paid off after 13 years, eight months!

3) As mayor, you would (or do) serve on the DMC Corp. Board, which provides oversight of the $5.6 billion initiative. Do you feel the project is headed in the right direction? And what kind of voice would (or do) you bring to the DMC board?

Koutsoukos: The DMC is based on a great concept, however, it seems to be focused on re-imaging and replacing Rochester, instead of enhancing our City. It also has been poorly communicated and coordinated. I will use my voice to get the representation on the board to be a majority of our Rochester citizens and business leaders. I would use my experience in construction management and development to see that projects enhance what Rochester is, and not drive up construction costs and drive down affordable living.

Norton: I carried the DMC bill when I represented Rochester in the state legislature, so I have a deep understanding of this project’s potential for our community. I also understand the importance of making DMC work for the people who live and work here. I have supported the use of community members as co-designers, working alongside the professionals in planning the projects. Strong working relationships with partners across the various organizations makes me uniquely prepared to bring the necessary people and resources together to make the DMC vision a reality and a project that benefits both Rochester residents and visitors.

Trahan: No! DMC is a 20-year $5.6 billion economic development initiative. DMC aims to achieve the highest quality patient, visitor, and community member experience both now and in the future. However, with the hundreds of people I have spoken to, the common theme is that DMC has overlooked the community. It is half-time next year for DMC. DMC must re-energize, re-engage, and reconnect with the community. The community must be a part of the DMC’s success. I will push for local and regional business representation on the DMC Board – so they can be heard!

4) The economy is on the minds of every American. While a mayor can do little to curb the impacts of rising costs when it comes to food, gas, and other commodities, the city can influence policy as it relates to housing. What in your view can or should the city do to promote the development of more affordable housing options in Rochester?

Koutsoukos: The mayor has a big influence on the local increases in food, medicine, fuel, utilities, childcare and housing. How we budget for our needs, wants and wishes greatly impacts our taxes and the cost businesses pass on to us. There are already a lot of programs out there that can provide affordable housing to Rochester. However, in order to implement these programs, the cost of construction has to be affordable. The City has to stop oversaturating the community with projects in order to reduce construction costs, and see revenue from these projects are re-invested in Rochester, not elsewhere.

Norton: We are making good progress in bringing affordable housing options to Rochester. We are creating a new development code that makes development less expensive, offering fee discounts for developers, and dedicating a portion (5%) of TIF funding to future affordable housing development. We are using the Maxfield Study to help project future housing needs, which will allow us to match those needs with the development occurring. The need for senior housing and homeless/supportive housing remains a priority, so we are looking at ways to use land the city currently owns and leveraging our many partnerships to meet those needs.

Trahan: The people I am listening to do not say we have affordable housing in Rochester. We are building, on average, 1,000 multi-family homes per year. That is great and needed, but we must also support home ownership! It’s the single most excellent way to build wealth! People want to live and raise their families without the government taxing them, regulating them, and telling them what to do. While we must have fiscal responsibility in our personal lives, our city should also. As mayor, I will ask questions to help ensure dollars are being spent wisely and citizens are receiving value.

5) In Rochester, the police chief reports to the mayor. First, do you feel RPD has the resources it needs to keep the community safe? And second, given the incidents of police misconduct we have seen play out across the country, do you feel the department has taken the appropriate steps to strengthen public trust in law enforcement?

Koutsoukos: This year, the police department received the funding it requested, and I will support more resources when needed. Our police chief, staff and officers have done a great job in responding to the undue negative image cast on police forces. The mayor has the primary duty to remind the public that our hard-working, caring officers and investigators are dispatched to incidents based on calls and complaints. The officers don’t pick the people and situations. Our emergency personnel deal with many horrendous situations, so we don’t have to. The City staff and crime victims need full support from the mayor.

Norton: I strongly support measures to improve public safety in our community, and I have a strong relationship with Chief Franklin and other public safety staff. I supported the Council’s vote to approve the RPD’s full budget each year. As your Mayor, I have encouraged and supported the creative approaches that RPD is using to build community relationships and trust while keeping us safe, including de-escalation training, officer wellness programs, embedded social workers, relationship-building public safety partnerships, a cadet program, Safe City Nights and independent investigations to review complaints. I am also supporting RPD in creating a more diverse police force.

Trahan: Under Police Chief Jim Franklin’s leadership, RPD has done a great job taking the necessary steps to ensure public trust in law enforcement remains strong. Chief Franklin speaks about “Relationship type Policing” within our community. I believe RPD has the resources to keep our community safe, but my priority, as mayor, is to stay ahead of crime, not work from behind. I am confident Chief Franklin has set expectations with his Police Officers that misconduct will not be tolerated. Chief Franklin has hired 40% of minorities and women as Police Officer’s in his four years, more than any other department within the city.

Note: A fourth candidate, Britt Noser, did not respond to the questionnaire.