Two city council members vie to succeed St. Cloud's departing mayor

This fall marks the first time in more than two decades that Dave Kleis’ name hasn't appeared on the ballot. St. Cloud’s longest serving mayor decided not to run for reelection after 19 years in the office.

Two members of the St. Cloud City Council, Jake Anderson and Mike Conway, are vying to replace him. The race is highlighting some of the city’s most pressing challenges, including a housing crunch, a struggle to revive its downtown and a perception the city is less safe.

Both candidates for the nonpartisan office talk about addressing those problems, but they differ — sometimes subtly — on how to do so.

For Anderson, 44, who grew up in St. Cloud, it’s about restoring a sense of pride in the community he feels has slipped.



https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/10/24/two-city-council-members-vie-to-succeed-st-clouds-departing-mayor