Craig Heurung to Compete for St. Cloud Ward 4 Seat

The retired manager faces Joe Baratta in the St. Cloud City Council general election on November 3.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a simplified municipal building facade, symbolizing local government and political candidacy. — Retired marketing manager Craig Heurung advances to the November 3 general election for the St. Cloud Ward 4 City Council seat. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Following a first-place finish in the primary election, retired marketing manager Craig Heurung will run for the Ward 4 St. Cloud City Council seat on November 3, 2026. Heurung secured his spot on the ballot by collecting 45 signatures from local residents.

Why it matters

Heurung launched his campaign after attending a lengthy city council meeting on June 1, 2026. If elected, he intends to focus on reducing municipal spending and lowering property taxes for constituents.

Heurung qualified for the ballot by submitting 45 signatures, exceeding the requirement of 25. He achieved a 40.1% vote share in the primary election compared to the 33.9% secured by his opponent, Joe Baratta.

The players

Craig Heurung

He is a retired marketing and sales manager currently seeking election to the St. Cloud City Council.

Joe Baratta

He is a candidate for the Ward 4 City Council seat who finished with 33.9% of the vote in the primary.

The details

Throughout his campaign, Heurung has engaged with the community by door-knocking to gather input on local concerns. The upcoming contest for the non-partisan city council position will decide the representative for Ward 4.

June 1, 2026: Craig Heurung attended a four-and-a-half-hour city council meeting.
November 3, 2026: Voters will head to the polls for the city council general election.

Political Context

Opposition to Heurung's fiscal platform often emphasizes the necessity of current municipal funding levels to maintain city services. Critics of his proposed spending cuts raise concerns about the potential impact on public infrastructure and local government operations.

The outcome of this race will directly influence future decisions regarding property tax rates and city spending in Ward 4. Residents should be prepared for potential adjustments to municipal service funding depending on which candidate wins the seat.

The takeaway

Voters in St. Cloud have the opportunity to directly shape local fiscal policy through their participation in the November election. Examining candidate platforms on tax and spending is essential for residents who wish to understand the financial future of their district.