Endorsements
As election day quickly approaches, it is important to understand who the candidates are. We will be voting to Re-Elect Courtney Johnson as the Mayor of The City of Carver! She loves this town and is an excellent voice for the residents of our town. Courtney Johnson has worked tirelessly these past eight years to help support our town and increase the infrastructure as she focuses on the long term goals of our ever expanding city. Please check out her page and ask any questions that you may have. She will be happy to answer them. Make time in your schedule and VOTE!
-Kelli J. Gavin
I am writing in support of Courtney Johnson for the 2026 mayoral election for Carver. As the daughter of a former mayor from another city, I know firsthand just how much hard work, time, patience, problem solving, commitment and hard work go in to being an effective mayor of a city. Courtney has demonstrated all of those qualities, in my opinion, in her last eight years as Mayor of Carver.
For me, a solid leader of a city is one who will always have an open ear, provide resources if she does not know an answer, represent the community with a friendly smile, and truly care about the well-being of the city and community. If she doesn't have the answer for you, she will get it. If you don't agree with a policy, she will listen. I have seen Courtney respectfully fulfill her duties as Mayor of Carver the past eight years with all of these qualities, and know that she will continue to represent Carver in her next four years in office.
-Erin Nelson
Courtney Johnson is a compassionate and caring woman. She is always willing to listen. In the times we are living in, we need someone that is willing to listen to all sides and make good decisions for our city. I believe Courtney is the person we need as our next Mayor!
-Roxanne Wongdock
Getting out to vote is very important for EVERY office. It does not matter if you live in a big city or a growing community like Carver. Our current Mayor, Courtney Johnson, is - in my opinion - doing a great job for our community. She works hard to be inclusive for member of our community. Her newsletters, Facebook posts and other means of communication help to keep the community informed. She is fiscally responsible with ‘our’ money and always puts Carver first & foremost. My vote will be for our Mayor, Courtney Johnson. Get out and vote!
-Dee Lange
I’ve known Courtney for nearly 15 years, as a respected and valued colleague. I was her supervisor for four years and she never once let me down. If she said she’d do something, she found a way to get it done, even when it was hard, even when there were headwinds, even when it required doing something in a new or different way.
With her background in communications, Courtney knows how critical it is for people to have the information they need. She can explain complex concepts simply, cutting to the chase to tell you what you need to know to make a decision or take action.
She brings a strong combination of commitment, coalition building and creative thinking. If you once again elect her as your mayor, you’ll continue to get an accessible leader who will under promise and over deliver for the people of Carver.
-Lauren Mihajlov
I am honored and thrilled to endorse Courtney Johnson for Mayor of the City of Carver. As I have watched her perform her duties as Mayor over the past eight years, I have seen evidence that she is committed to the community and that her leadership skills have a direct impact to by promoting growth and safety opportunities such as the levee, road improvements, and numerous other community outreach events. Courtney has posted these initiatives and activities on social media thereby promoting the beauty of Carver to the surrounding area and beyond. She has invited input and listened to neighbors all over Carver to gain understanding of current events which help her focus her efforts accordingly. I look forward to seeing more of those accomplishments in her next term as Mayor of the City of Carver.
-Alisa Grande
Courtney Johnson is one of those candidates.
I’ve known Courtney as a business colleague, a friend, and an elected official, and what impresses me most is how she always comes to the table with well-researched ideas, yet is also willing to listen to multiple view points. This is important in a town like Carver, as its residents experience unprecedented growth and the exciting opportunities and decisions that go with it.
I am proud to endorse Courtney 4 Mayor and strongly encourage you to support her campaign with donations, your time, your endorsement and, if you’re lucky enough to have the opportunity, your vote.
-Chris Nietupski
I’ve known Courtney for about 25 years. We were both Mass Communications majors at St. Cloud State University. She was one of the more dedicated students in the department which is what led to her successful career in broadcasting and communications.
I graduated from Chaska High School. I still have connections to the area. I have good friends who live in Carver from both high school and college. In fact, I spent time in Carver recently, including a stop at Lisa’s Place.
Carver residents who I know and trust think Courtney has done a good job in her first term as Mayor. I’ve had a chance to spend time with Courtney since she was elected Mayor and during that time, I’ve learned how much she cares about her community. I have also seen firsthand how much the people in Carver who I know appreciate the work she has done as mayor.
I am happy to endorse Courtney Johnson for another term as Mayor of the City of Carver.
-Ron Johnson
With the upcoming election, there is one candidate who has done so much around the Carver community that stands out. Courtney Johnson walks her talk. I would love to give a glowing endorsement. I will highlight what I’ve witnessed firsthand:
During the COVID staffing crisis, Mayor Johnson was in Carver Ridge’s kitchen serving residents with a smile 2-3 times a week. She’s continued to be anything but a stranger by walking with residents in memory care, talking to the lonely, helping with monthly birthday parties, and attending any community event hosted by Carver Ridge. When a new business comes to town, Courtney is all in.
Mayor Johnson communicates well and is extremely responsive. I love her office hours that she offers and have stopped down numerous times throughout the years. When I’ve called with a concern about our neighborhood, she is empathetic and a phenomenal listener. Courtney has always been receptive to feedback and quick to find the answers. She does a great job of updating the people of Carver through the City newsletter, social media, and articles in Carver County Local News and the Waconia Patriot.
Six years ago, our son was choking and we called for an ambulance. The following day, Courtney saw my social media post about the incident and reached out to make sure Oliver was okay. For a mayor to show the compassion she did that day will forever be etched into memory for my husband and I.
Courtney’s love and care for Carver is unmatched. She’s exactly what we need by being approachable, knowledgeable, solution-focused, and communicative. Mayor Johnson does what she says and she’s exactly what Carver needs to keep. To say Courtney’s gone above and beyond for our city is an understatement. I can’t praise her enough.
-Andrea Olmscheid
I’ve known Courtney Johnson personally and professionally for more than 17 years and I can’t think of a more qualified, ethical and open-minded individual to serve as Mayor of Carver. Having served as Mayor for the past eight years, she is familiar with, and brings fresh perspective to, this blooming city’s plans for the future.
Courtney is also fortunate to have a flexible job that allows her to spend time with her constituents and participate in many city activities. She has made time to participate in the Carver County Commerce Corridor Tour with Greater MSP and recently was in Washington D.C. visiting with our federal legislators to lobby on behalf of the Levee Improvement Project and transportation issues effecting Carver.
From the first time I met Courtney, I was impressed with her level of civic responsibility. She encourages her friends and neighbors to become involved in their communities. I know this first-hand: Courtney encouraged me to get more involved in my community through volunteerism and I have.
A final note: with the politics that are dividing our country right now, you can always count on Courtney to approach issues with composure and grace; that is something we all need more of in our elected officials.
-Jane Overby
Everyone should know there is a very important election on Tuesday, Nov. 3 with many important state and federal offices on the ballot.
We should not forget our local positions that also need to be filled. In particular the City of Carver will be electing a mayor and filling two other council positions.
Many of you may not feel these positions are as important as Governor or U.S. Senate, but these elected officials will have more impact on our immediate lives than anyone else on the ballot. They will impact:
Carver’s growth in the future
Resources to handle a fire or other emergencies
Clean water supply for drinking
Parks and recreational opportunities
Keeping the Minnesota River from downtown Carver
They will deal with these issues and many others, as well as affecting our property values, property taxes and utility rates.
With the above factors in mind, I am supporting Courtney Johnson as mayor. I have worked with her on several city commissions, and feel she is smart, savvy and a solid individual with a good vision for the future of Carver.
-Jim Weygand
Prior to moving to Carver, I lived in Eden Prairie for over 40 years and experienced some of the same growth challenges and the need to build a reliable infrastructure for all residences and business partners as Carver.
With the challenges and opportunities facing The City of Carver, I want to endorse Courtney Johnson for Mayor. Courtney has shown that she has the knowledge, skills, and dedication to lead the city as it grows and prospers.
Her track record during her first term has been excellent, for example:
Welcomed 21 commercial and industrial businesses, which broadened our tax base and brought hundreds of jobs to Carver
Secured $12.7 million in grants for the Levee Improvement Project, which will keep historic downtown Carver safe from flooding
Championed the Johnathan Carver Parkway project and the Water System expansion, to ensure that our infrastructure keeps up with current and future needs
Displayed a strong sense of fiscal responsibility and a conservative approach to spending tax dollars focusing on real needs such as expanded utilities and improved roadways
Worked to establish a pavement management plan to provide funding for maintenance of our streets and walkways
Worked to improve transparency by broadcasting the Councils Work Sessions to keep all our residents informed.
Courtney brings the leadership and communication skills that we need to address the challenges and opportunities for growth.