Randy Schubring (Rochester City Council At-large, Minnesota, candidate 2024)

Randy Schubring

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Rochester City Council At-large

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 13, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

University of Minnesota, 1989

Graduate

Hamline University, 2012

Personal

Birthplace

Wausau, Wis.

Profession

Community Development

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Randy Schubring ran for election to the Rochester City Council At-large in Minnesota. He was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.^[source]

Schubring completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Randy Schubring provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on July 15, 2024:

• Birth place: Wausau, Wisconsin
• High school: Custer H. S., Milwaukee, WI
• Bachelor's: University of Minnesota, 1989
• Graduate: Hamline University, 2012
• Gender: Male
• Profession: Community Development
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign website
• Campaign Facebook
• LinkedIn

Elections

General election

General election for Rochester City Council At-large

Shaun C. Palmer and Randy Schubring ran in the general election for Rochester City Council At-large on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Shaun C. Palmer (Nonpartisan)
		Randy Schubring (Nonpartisan)

---

	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Rochester City Council At-large

Dean Koutsoukos, Shaun C. Palmer, and Randy Schubring ran in the primary for Rochester City Council At-large on August 13, 2024.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Dean Koutsoukos (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Shaun C. Palmer (Nonpartisan)
		Randy Schubring (Nonpartisan)

---

	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

Schubring received the following endorsements.

• LGBTQ+ Victory Fund

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Randy Schubring completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Schubring's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

With a deep understanding of city-wide issues and a dedication to public service, I seek to bring my experience, skills and empathy to help Rochester grow as a community where everyone can thrive. As a long-time resident of our vibrant and resilient city, I have witnessed firsthand Rochester’s incredible growth and potential. I believe I am uniquely qualified to help guide our city’s future and ensure that the rising tide lifts all boats.

My experience includes: - Rochester neighborhood association leader where I championed safe and pedestrian-friendly streets and neighbor-to-neighbor civic engagement, - Chair of the Rochester Planning and Zoning Commission where I promote vibrant neighborhoods and sustainable development featuring affordable housing, retail and transit-oriented development, - Rochester-area representative on the Metropolitan Airports Commission where I oversee the sustainability goals and $1 billion capital improvement budget for Minnesota's hub airport, and

-Former liaison to neighborhoods and local officials on behalf of Mayo Clinic: Fostered a culture of transparency and two-way communications between the City’s largest employer and city residents.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• The City of Rochester needs skilled and experienced leadership to guide an effective and respectful City Council that seeks common solutions for all Rochester residents.
• We need policies that remove barriers and increase incentives to build and access affordable housing to help families and individuals prosper and add to our thriving local economy.
• As Rochester grows, we must prioritize development opportunities within our current growth plan on vacant parcels before expanding outward. By promoting so-called “in-fill” development, we will expand our tax base by building mixed-use walkable neighborhoods featuring traditional and affordable housing and integrated retail.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

With the unparalleled growth and investment in Rochester, I was motivated to run to ensure that we as a city are smart and intentional about our future growth. With a deep understanding of city-wide issues and a dedication to public service, I seek to bring my experience, skills and empathy to help Rochester grow as a community where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I am great consumer of political biographies. A few of my role models for leadership include Teddy Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon Johnson.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Written in 1961, Jane Jacobs' The Death and Live of Great American Cities is the seminal book on city planning and neighborhoods. Jacobs highlights the key elements that lead to safe, vibrant and walkable communities and blocks. Nearly 65 years later, this book stands as a lesson on how to ensure a thriving city for local officials, city planners and residents who care about their city.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, transparency, objectivity and respect of others.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a good neighbor, team player and a skilled leader. I will use these qualities to serve the people of Rochester as Council President.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Rochester’s City Council President must be a solid and collaborative leader who has the vision and skills to:

• Guide the entire City Council toward shared long-term goals,
• Cultivate a strong and respectful balance between council direction and administrative operations and
• Manage an effective, efficient and productive City Council agenda.

Having served in leadership roles at the state, city and neighborhood levels and as former community engagement staff for Rochester’s largest employer, I believe I am uniquely qualified to successfully serve in this role.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A stronger Rochester!

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember the assassination of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy, which happened in 1968 when I was eight years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

In my 30+ year career, I have worked in many roles for large and medium-sized organizations. My first job was working as a busboy and kitchen staff for my local VFW branch. In addition, to support my college education, I worked as a rubber mixer, custodial worker and on an assembly line. For the past 15 years, I've worked for Mayo Clinic as federal health care policy director and most recently as community relations liaison to neighborhoods and local officials on behalf of the Clinic.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

I do believe it would be beneficial, but not necessary. Serving in appointed office as Rochester's Commissioner on the state's Airport Commission for the past 8 years has given me great experience working within government. In this role, I am responsible for decision-making on $1 billion Capital Investment Program for Minnesota's MSP hub airport. As a member of the governing body, I am acutely aware of the need to maintain a strong balance between the public leadership of the Commission and the administration. As Council President, I will use this experience to bring greater balance between Rochester's elected leaders, who make the long-term decisions for our residents and our expert staff, who implement those decisions.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Experience and knowledge of the public sector is a valuable skill to bring to this role. Having worked both in appointed public office and in the private sector interfacing with the public sector, I can hit the ground running as Council President.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2024 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. President U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

Rochester City Council At-large

Website

Facebook

Personal

LinkedIn