Compare the candidates. Then decide.
Three names will be on the ballot for Mankato Mayor. Here's where each stands — side by side, in plain language — so you can weigh their priorities for yourself. We think the choice is clear.
Straight from the record. Every position below is drawn from the candidates’ own public statements, campaign materials, and local news coverage — linked at the bottom. Compare freely and verify for yourself.
The field · August 11 primary
Independent
Toby Leonard
Army veteran, small-business owner & counselor. Running to spend tax dollars wisely and build for the next generation.
Incumbent
Najwa Massad
Mayor since 2018 and longtime restaurateur, seeking a third term on continued investment in Mankato's existing assets.
Challenger
Julia Hamann
Lifelong Mankato resident, social worker and first-time candidate running on a progressive platform: “I'm ready to start a new conversation.”
Issue by issue
Where they stand
Toby’s approach is listed first on every issue. Opponent positions follow, in their own terms.
Spending & Taxes
Toby Leonard
Cut the waste before you raise the tax.
Toby's number-one promise: review how the city spends every dollar and use taxpayer money wisely. Streamline licensing and cut red tape so Mankato runs lean — efficiency first, tax hikes last.
The Leonard difference
The only candidate making government efficiency the top priority.
Najwa Massad
Points to reusing and improving existing assets — like renovating the All Seasons Arena instead of rebuilding — as her model of fiscal stewardship.
Julia Hamann
Has not published a spending or tax plank. Her stated priorities call for new municipal investment in affordable housing units and green infrastructure.
Housing & Rent
Toby Leonard
Rents are too high. Build more — don't add red tape.
“We can do better as a city.” Toby opposes rent control (pointing to St. Paul's results) and instead grows supply: make it easier and cheaper to build, lower landlord costs, and let rents stabilize and fall.
The Leonard difference
Market solutions that actually add units — not new mandates.
Najwa Massad
Frames housing within broader business growth and community amenities, alongside support for homelessness programs.
Julia Hamann
Wants to re-examine how the city defines “affordable,” invest in creating more affordable units, and ensure “fair and just rental practices” between tenants and landlords.
Data Centers & Surveillance Tech
Toby Leonard
Do the homework before you sign the deal.
Toby wants the council to fully research big-ticket items — like Flock surveillance cameras and proposed data centers — for cost, privacy, and impact before any approval. No rushed commitments with taxpayer money.
The Leonard difference
Caution and cost-scrutiny before the city commits.
Najwa Massad
Brings a generally pro-growth, pro-development posture to new projects and business expansion.
Julia Hamann
Wants new conversations about how developments like data centers affect the environment; supports the city's climate action plan.
Infrastructure & the Future
Toby Leonard
Plan for the next generation — not just the next budget.
“Are we setting things up for the next generation and our kids?” Toby pushes long-term infrastructure planning so Mankato's foundations are stable and ready for the future.
The Leonard difference
Long-horizon planning over short-term wins.
Najwa Massad
A signature strength: continued investment in parks, streets, and the All Seasons Arena, plus building a family community center.
Julia Hamann
Prioritizes green infrastructure and weighing the environmental footprint of proposed developments.
Local Business & Regulation
Toby Leonard
Get government out of the way of Main Street.
A small-business owner himself, Toby knows the regulatory burden firsthand. He'd support local businesses through smart deregulation and a lighter, faster city licensing process.
The Leonard difference
A business owner who's lived the red tape.
Najwa Massad
Focuses on growing new and existing businesses and creating amenities that attract and retain residents.
Julia Hamann
Interested in exploring how city policy could encourage businesses to pay a living wage.
Listening & Transparency
Toby Leonard
“If I'm not willing to talk to you and listen to you, what's the point?”
Toby's campaign is door-to-door and online — meeting residents where they are. Accessibility and listening aren't a slogan; they're how he plans to govern.
The Leonard difference
A mayor who knocks on your door first.
Najwa Massad
Emphasizes community engagement in decisions and is known for keeping council meetings focused and on task.
Julia Hamann
Wants new channels to gather resident feedback and greater transparency in how the council makes decisions.
The bottom line
An independent, evidence-focused approach.
Toby’s experience as a veteran, educator, counselor, and small-business owner informs his emphasis on fiscal care, long-term planning, and direct conversations with residents.
Candidate positions summarized from public sources, including each candidate’s campaign materials, KEYC News, the Mankato Free Press, voteforjulia.com, and public records. Opponent summaries are provided in good faith; we encourage voters to review each candidate’s own website. Prepared and paid for by Toby Leonard, 115 South Fourth Street, Mankato, MN 56001.