The Ramsey County Board seat held for more than three decades by Commissioner Rafael Ortega will be open next year, with St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker and state Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega announcing bids to succeed him.
Ortega, who has represented District 5 for 31 years, informed supporters on Dec. 13 that he would not seek reelection. In a letter to close supporters, Ortega said the decision was difficult but driven by a desire to spend more time with family while continuing his work at the county through the remainder of his term.
District 5 includes the neighborhoods of Macalester-Groveland, Highland Park, West 7th, Downtown, Battle Creek and the West Side, an area that has seen major public investment during Ortega’s tenure. In his letter, Ortega highlighted projects including the Green Line and Gold Line transitways, Union Depot, the Roseville Library and the county’s housing levy, which since 2023 has supported the construction of more than 2,000 units of affordable housing.
Noecker was the first to signal her intent to run. She emailed key supporters in mid-November indicating she was preparing a campaign—weeks before Ortega publicly announced his decision not to run. Noecker formally launched her campaign on Dec. 9.
First elected to the St. Paul City Council in 2015, Noecker currently serves as council president and brings more than a decade of municipal government experience to the race. In announcing her candidacy, she said she is running to bring greater urgency, transparency and collaboration to the county board.
“It takes a collaborative leader to work across levels of government to deliver lasting progress,” Noecker said in a statement. She argued that some county projects have moved too slowly and said closer coordination between the city and county could reduce inefficiencies and costs for residents.
Noecker’s campaign priorities include economic and workforce development, downtown revitalization, transportation, childcare and housing. During her time on the City Council, she supported hundreds of units of new affordable housing, helped lead the creation of the Seasonal Safe Space emergency shelter, assisted in launching the Downtown Alliance and established the Commercial Corridor Organization Assistance Program, which has distributed $1.4 million to support neighborhood business districts.
She launched her campaign with endorsements from City Council Vice President Hwa Jeong Kim, Councilmember Nelsie Yang, DFL Majority Leader Erin Murphy, School Board Director Halla Henderson and West 7th/Fort Road Federation President Meg Duhr.
Kim described Noecker as “a decisive, clear, and kind leader” who delivers results, calling her a strong fit for the county board.
Pérez-Vega announced her campaign on Dec. 13, the same day Ortega shared his retirement decision with supporters. Pérez-Vega was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2022 and currently represents District 65B, which includes parts of Saint Paul. She also chairs the Saint Paul legislative delegation.
A small business owner, artist, youth worker and West Side resident, Pérez-Vega framed her campaign around lived experience and state-level accomplishments. In her announcement, she pointed to funding she helped secure for early childhood education, homelessness services and neighborhood infrastructure.
Pérez-Vega highlighted nearly $3 million delivered to the Listening House to expand day shelter services, $2.4 million for Ramsey County housing stability programs, and the expansion of more than 5,000 voluntary pre-K seats statewide. She also cited investments in community spaces, including the Wellstone Center renovation, arts and cultural programming at the Science Museum, after-school programs through the Boys and Girls Clubs and early learning access through the Children’s Museum.
She also played a leading role in passing Minnesota’s Insulin Affordability Act, drawing on her experience as a Type 1 diabetic, and said her service on the Capital Investment Committee has underscored the importance of strong county leadership.
“District 5 deserves a commissioner who will champion the projects that shape our neighborhoods and build real partnership across city, county and state government,” Pérez-Vega said.
Pérez-Vega’s early endorsements include State Representative Jay Xiong, Ramsey County Commissioners Garrison McMurtrey, Rena Moran and Ortega himself.
What’s Next
Precinct Caucuses
Ramsey County’s District 5 precinct caucuses for the 2026 election cycle are scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m., with locations set by the political parties. These meetings provide an early opportunity for voters to participate in party organization, elect precinct officers and delegates and weigh in on local endorsements and platforms ahead of the 2026 primary and general elections.
Primary election (if needed)
If more than two candidates file for the District 5 seat, a primary to narrow the field would be held on Aug. 11, 2026.
General election
The general election for Ramsey County commissioner District 5 will take place on Nov. 3, 2026, part of the statewide general elections for federal, state and local offices.
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