Two district seats are open on the Metropolitan Council’s 17-member policy-making council. Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced the application process for Metropolitan Council District 12 and District 15 seats on January 14, 2025.
District members must reside in the districts they represent. They must also reflect the various demographic, political, and other interests in the metropolitan area, and they must be knowledgeable about urban and metropolitan affairs. All members serve at the pleasure of the Governor. More information about eligibility, duties and benefits.
Candidates for public interviews
The Met Council Nominating Committee met to review candidate applications for districts 12 and 15 on Monday, April 14. Public interviews for Met Council districts 12 and 15 took place at Dakota County Northern Service Center on Friday, May 2. The Nominating Committee will recommend the candidates below to the governor for further consideration.
District 12 recommended candidates:
- Michael Cahn
- Mark Jenkins
District 15 recommended candidates:
- Elizabeth Niemioja
- Victor Obisakin
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee
Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced the following appointments to the Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee on March 21, 2025.
Karla Bigham – Cottage Grove, MN
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee
Voting Member
Effective: March 26, 2025
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat
Anne Burt – Woodbury, MN
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee
Voting Member
Effective: March 26, 2025
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat
Keith Franke – Saint Paul Park, MN
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee
Co-chair
Effective: March 26, 2025
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat
Laurie Halverson – Eagan, MN
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee
Co-Chair
Effective: March 26, 2025
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat
Erica Lester – Eagan, MN
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee
Voting Member
Effective: March 26, 2025
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat
Sally Lorberbaum – Mendota Heights, MN
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee
Voting Member
Effective: March 26, 2025
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat
Valentina Mgeni – Welch, MN
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee
Voting Member
Effective: March 26, 2025
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat
Jeff Reed – Hampton, MN
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee
Voting Member
Effective: March 26, 2025
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat
Charlie Zelle – Saint Paul, MN
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee
Non-Voting Member
Effective: March 26, 2025
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Reappointment
About the Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee:
The Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee, which recommends candidates for the Metropolitan Council to the Governor, will host public meetings to accept statements from, or on behalf of, applicants for the positions. The council chair serves as a non-voting member of the nominating committee.
Additional information about the Metropolitan Council can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.
Applications were due to the Secretary of State’s website by 4:00 PM on Friday, February 14, 2025.
For questions, applicants may contact [email protected] or (612) 417-7514 for further information about the application process or to request reasonable accommodations.
Appointees
Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced the appointments to the Met Council’s 16 districts on June 27, 2023.
All terms are effective July 3, 2023 and expire January 4, 2027.
Judy Johnson – Plymouth
District 1 Representative
Reappointment
Reva Chamblis – Brooklyn Park
District 2 Representative
Reappointment
Tyronne Carter – Minnetonka
District 3 Representative
Reappointment
Deb Barber – Shakopee
District 4 Representative
Reappointment
John Pacheco Jr. – Minneapolis
District 5 Representative
Replacing: Anjuli Cameron
Robert Lilligren – Minneapolis
District 6 Representative
Replacing: John Pacheco Jr.
Yassin Osman – Minneapolis
District 7 Representative
Replacing: Robert Lilligren
Anjuli Cameron – Edina
District 8 Representative
Replacing: Yassin Osman
Diego Morales – Coon Rapids
District 9 Representative
Reappointment
Peter Lindstrom – Falcon Heights
District 10 Representative
Reappointment
Gail Cederberg – Mahtomedi
District 11 Representative
Replacing: Susan Vento
Susan Vento – Maplewood
District 12 Representative
Replacing: Gail Cederberg
Chai Lee – Saint Paul
District 13 Representative
Reappointment
Toni Carter – Saint Paul
District 14 Representative
Reappointment
Tenzin Dolkar – Inver Grove Heights
District 15 Representative
Reappointment
Wendy Wulff – Lakeville
District 16 Representative
Reappointment