St. Paul council president eyes Ramsey County seat
St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker told key supporters she intends to run for the Ramsey County Board’s District 5 seat, which covers downtown St. Paul and adjacent neighborhoods. The seat is held by Board Chair Rafael Ortega, who hasn’t announced if he’ll seek reelection; Noecker says she will make a public announcement in December and cites priorities including economic development, housing, child care, transit and fentanyl response.
Elections
Local Government
📌 Key Facts
- Rebecca Noecker signaled a run for Ramsey County Board District 5 in an email dated Nov. 19, 2025
- District 5 includes downtown, Highland Park, Macalester-Groveland, West Seventh, the West Side and Dayton’s Bluff
- Incumbent Rafael Ortega has not publicly said if he’ll seek another term
- Noecker was first elected to St. Paul’s Ward 2 in 2015 and became council president in Feb. 2025