Chris Rasmussen for Ward 2

Chris Rasmussen announced his plans to run in the special election for the open Robbinsdale City Council seat in Ward 2.

Rasmussen said he grew up in Minnesota and has lived in Maryland and Colorado. Rasmussen was elected three times to the municipal council in Berwyn Heights, Maryland. Rasmussen returned to Minnesota in 2021 to help care for his aging father and purchased a house in the Ryan Lake area of Robbinsdale with his husband and rescue pup, River.

He sings with the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus and is an active member of the Minnesota Pride Rotary Club.

Professionally, Rasmussen works in higher education.

“My career has focused on bringing people together to find solutions to shared challenges, primarily in helping high school graduates and adults get to college and finish their degrees,” Rasmussen said. “It’s about more than just getting in the door — it’s about creating affordable pathways that lead to good opportunities after graduation.”

According to Rasmussen, a focus on outcomes, rather than simply inputs, is foundational to good government.

The election is to complete the term of former Council Member Sheila Webb, who stepped down in October . Robbinsdale residents in Ward 2, who represent northeastern Robbinsdale, can vote on Tuesday, May 14 in the special primary.