Mayor taking applications for Ward 3 City Council seat

City News January 14, 2026

Albert Lea Mayor Rich Murray is taking applications to fill the Ward 3 City Council seat recently vacated by Jason Howland. Under city ordinance, the mayor may appoint a resident to serve until holding a special election in conjunction with the general election on Nov. 3, 2026.

Applicants must be at least age 18 and a resident of Ward 3. To check their residency, they may consult the ward map on the city website at www.cityofalbertlea.org/government/city-council/ward-map/. Or they may use the Minnesota Secretary of State website at https://pollfinder.sos.mn.gov/ to input their address and search for their city precinct, which will provide the ward number.

The mayor is requesting that applicants contact him with the following information:

1. Why the applicant wants to serve
2. What the applicant has to offer the community
3. The applicant’s background and/or resume

For the mayor’s contact information, visit the city website at www.cityofalbertlea.org/government/city-council/.

Applications are due Wednesday, Jan. 21, with the goal to fill the open seat at the Jan. 26 city council meeting or soon after.

After serving nearly 10 years, Howland resigned from the city council effective Jan. 13 because he is moving to Wabasha, Minn., to be nearer to family.

For immediate release
Jan. 14, 2025
Media contact: City Manager Ian Rigg at 507-377-4330 or irigg@ci.albertlea.mn.us

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