Candidate guide for 2026 Roseville Mayoral Primary Election
Get to know the candidates for Roseville Mayor
This year there are three candidates running for Roseville mayor, which means a Primary Election has been called for this race. The Primary Election will be held on August 11, 2026. Early voting and absentee voting has already begun. After the Primary, the two candidates who get the most votes will move forward to the General Election in November.
In Roseville, the mayor is a part time elected position. They serve as the presiding officer at city council meetings, but their vote has equal power to a regular city council member. Learn more about how city governance works in Roseville here.
The Roseville Reader reached out to each candidate for mayor and invited them to respond to questions for a candidate guide. What follows is information about each candidate based on that questionnaire, candidate website, and publicly available information about each candidate. Direct quotes were copyedited and may have been edited for length. (Shortened quotes are indicated with an ellipses [...].) The candidates are listed in the order given on the Minnesota Secretary of State candidate filing website.
On your Primary Election ballot, you'll be able to vote for one candidate for mayor. Here's who is running:
Matthew Drwall
About the candidate
Matthew Drwall is a Roseville resident running for mayor. He has provided regular public comment at city council meetings regarding the Civic Campus expansion project in Veterans Park, as it directly impacts his neighborhood. In September 2024, he spoke with the Roseville Reader along with several neighbors, about their concerns. We covered that here:
Naomi Krueger
Drwall did not respond to our invitation to fill out the questionnaire or submit a photo for this guide. A candidate website could not be found.
Roger B. Hess Jr.
About the candidate
Roger B. Hess Jr. is a lifelong resident of Roseville. He is a fourth generation Roseville resident whose family has lived in the community for over 100 years, according to Hess. His father served on the Roseville city council in the 1970s and Hess Jr. ran for mayor in 1979. Hess Jr. owns a hairstylist supply business which has been in his family for decades. He has been involved on committees and volunteered with the Roseville Historical Society, Roseville Area School District, and the City of Roseville, according to the candidate. Hess Jr. is a regular participant in public comment at city council meetings.
"I would like Roseville voters to know that fairness is probably my highest priority. I want fairness in city fees and taxes, and for all residents to be treated equally and fairly, by the city. I want to see much more participation by residents in the decision making of the city council," Hess Jr. wrote.
Hess Jr. was featured on NineNorth on April 3, 2026, sharing the story about what happened when he suffered a stroke and his autistic grandson leapt into action to call for help. You can watch that here.
Why are you running for Roseville mayor?
"I would like to see the residents of Roseville be more involved in the activities of the city. I want to see more fairness and transparency in the dealings of the city. I like to think outside of the box, and I feel throwing more money at a problem is not the only solution—there must be other solutions! I understand the problems of seniors living on fixed incomes, being priced out of their homes by the large tax increases of the last few years—not just property tax, but increased sales tax and the new Xcel taxes. I want to see more Parks and Rec activities for special needs children and adults. I want to make Roseville a better city for my daughter, grandson, and the rest of my family."—Hess Jr.
Describe how you would approach decision making as mayor
"With openness to various ideas and approaches from city staff, any consultants, and especially the general public. I would then weigh all the information and opinions, and hopefully arrive at the best decision. I would insist on complete openness and transparency. Fairness is my biggest goal!"—Hess Jr.
Describe your values and priorities as they relate to city government
"Fairness, openness, transparency, and getting residents involved so they will voice their opinions are my greatest values and priorities." —Hess Jr.
What is a recent decision or ongoing discussion at Roseville city council meetings that you're particularly invested in?
"The design of the new public works facility (MOC) and the associated License Center/Passport Center, and Dance Studio ... I support the new Public Works building—they have needed new facilities, especially where vehicle maintenance is performed. But, I do not agree with the council's decision to break it up into two buildings, rather than one, very efficient building. I also do not agree with building a Dance Studio only, when, for basically the same cost, a Black Box Theater with a well designed Dance Studio could be built, which could be used by all Roseville residents, 365 days a year, rather than the limited number of dance students, for a limited number of days and hours each day. The city needs a new License/Passport center, but since it will most likely be paid with property tax dollars, I want to see revenue there greatly increased, by more efficient workflow and being open more days and longer hours."—Hess Jr.
A photo of the candidate and candidate website was not available.
Dan Roe (incumbent)
About the candidate
Dan Roe has been mayor of Roseville since 2011. Prior to that, Roe served as a Roseville City Council member from 2008-2010. Born and raised in Minnesota, he lived in small rural towns and in the Twin Cities. Roe graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering before settling in Roseville. In his professional life, he has worked in design and sales for industrial process systems and equipment at Dynamic Air Inc. in Vadnais Heights since 1990. In his spare time, Roe likes to hike and paddle in the wilderness, watch baseball, and listen to live jazz music.
Roe has served on the boards of Northeast Youth and Family Services and Visit Roseville. He currently serves on the board of the Minnesota Benefit Association. Before being elected to city council, Roe served on the Roseville Planning Commission and stakeholder panels for Roseville's comprehensive plan, Parks & Recreation master plan, and Twin Lakes development planning.
"I have no illusions that I nor our city government are without faults or shortcomings, but I remain committed to working together toward achievement of our shared vision for this community," Roe wrote in his questionnaire.
The Roseville Reader interviewed Roe for a profile published in January 2025. You can read that here:
Naomi Krueger
Why are you running for Roseville mayor?
"Roseville is truly a special place, and we have a long community history of working actively to maintain the amenities, services, and economic vitality that are the basis for the quality of life we enjoy. From the beginning of my service to Roseville, I have worked to support and sustain those amenities, services, and our economic vitality, while strengthening engagement of our people in our decision-making. I believe my combination of experience and openness to new thinking has served Roseville well, and will continue to do so if the people of Roseville choose me to continue as mayor."—Roe
Describe how you would approach decision making as mayor
"My approach has always been on two levels: First, as mayor, I work to make sure that the process is fair and involves all voices from the public and the city council, and that the ultimate decision is improved by that process. Second, as a representative of the people, I reserve judgment on matters until I have researched all of the information, heard all of the testimony, and received answers to all of my questions. I actively try to find solutions that are beneficial to the community and also address concerns that are raised."—Roe
Describe your values and priorities as they relate to city government
"Our government is supposed to be of, by, and for the people. To that end, I value and prioritize respect for all people who participate. I also value and prioritize accessibility, transparency, and accountability. And I value and prioritize careful stewardship of the people's resources."—Roe
What is a recent decision or ongoing discussion at Roseville city council meetings that you're particularly invested in?
"As everyone is faced with increasing costs, the City budget and spending plans will remain an important focus. Spending pressures from increases to the costs of ongoing operations will be joined by pressures related to improving services in public safety. In addition, the City must complete our maintenance facility replacement within cost and time limits. And we will be involved in updating our comprehensive plan as well as our parks & recreation master plan in the coming years. All of this needs to be in the context of and informed by the strategic planning that the City completed over the last couple of years."—Roe
City Council Election
There is also a Roseville City Council Election. Learn about the eight candidates running in the 2026 Primary:
Naomi Krueger
Voting information
Early voting has already begun and the last day to vote in the primary is August 11, 2026. For information on when and where to vote, check out the Ramsey County website:
Find your polling place, update your voter registration, and view sample ballots here.
