Democrats in St. Cloud, MN

St. Cloud is the heart of Senate District 14. Minnesota's 12th-largest city, St. Cloud sits at the intersection of three counties — Stearns, Benton, and Sherburne — and is home to the largest share of SD14's voters. The SD14 DFL is the local arm of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party serving St. Cloud residents.

St. Cloud at a Glance

St. Cloud is a mid-sized city with a notable track record of civic investment in infrastructure, sustainability, arts, and community.

Clean energy leadership

Since 2015, the city has saved over $6 million in energy costs and reduced carbon emissions by more than 94,000 metric tons through efficiency work, renewable energy generation, and community solar garden subscriptions. Over 100% of the electrical demand required to provide city services is now powered by renewable energy.

The centerpiece is the Nutrient, Energy and Water Recovery Facility (NEW RF), a wastewater treatment plant that runs at net zero and returns energy to the grid. It received EPA recognition as an exceptional project in 2020, won the Grand Conceptor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies in 2021, and earned the Blazing Star Award from Conservation Minnesota in 2022. The city's goal is to have all St. Cloud electrical energy use be carbon neutral by 2028, and carbon neutral for energy use and transportation by 2038.

Arts and culture

St. Cloud has a strong arts infrastructure for a city its size. GREAT Theatre provides entertainment to audiences and performance opportunities for youth throughout the region. The Paramount Theatre, a restored 706-seat venue built in 1921, anchors the downtown arts scene alongside Pioneer Place on Fifth. The Stearns History Museum, set within a 100-acre nature park, is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

A community shaped by newcomers for 170 years

The tri-county area has been seen waves of immigrants since before Minnesota was a state. In the 1850s, German Catholic settlers answered the call of missionaries publishing articles in German-language newspapers, and what one land agent called "a new Germany" rose up across the region.

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Immigrants continue to be a vital part of our regional tapestry to this day. According to city data, approximately 4,400 St. Cloud’s 70,000 residents identified themselves as Somali as of late 2024 — the largest Somali community in greater Minnesota outside the Twin Cities. East African families began arriving as refugees in the 1990s and have since built a visible, lasting presence in the city.

A great place to learn

St. Cloud has also become a destination for students and learners. In the most recent academic year, St. Cloud State University enrolled students from 48 states and 88 countries — the second-largest university in the Minnesota State system. It has anchored the city's south side since 1869.

St. Cloud Technical and Community College adds a hands-on workforce pipeline, and the city just welcomed a landmark addition to its higher education portfolio. In fall 2025, the University of Minnesota Medical School opened the CentraCare Regional Campus in St. Cloud — the first expansion of the U of M Medical School in more than 50 years — with a focus on training physicians committed to serving rural and immigrant communities. The $85 million campus is supported by CentraCare and the State of Minnesota and will grow to 96 students by 2028.

SCTCC is also launching one of the region's most in-demand new programs. After receiving FAA certification in early 2026, SCTCC's Aircraft Maintenance Technician program will welcome its first cohort in fall 2026, backed by more than $2 million in state and federal funding and partnerships with Delta, Sun Country, Cirrus Aircraft, and the Metropolitan Airports Commission. Classes will eventually move to a purpose-built hangar at St. Cloud Sky Central Airport, slated to open in 2027. Graduates enter a field with strong job prospects and starting wages around $32 per hour.

People have come to St. Cloud for opportunity for 170 years. The institutions being built here now suggest that pattern isn't slowing down.

Regional recognition

The Greater St. Cloud area is one of only 18 U.S. communities selected for the Baldrige-based Communities of Excellence 2026 program — the only one in Minnesota and the neighboring states of Iowa, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. The program focuses on improving health, educational attainment, and economic vitality for residents.

Explore St. Cloud

St. Cloud is a region with a lot going on. These organizations promote and invest in the community:

• Visit Greater St. Cloud — The area's convention and visitors bureau. Events calendar, things to do, dining, outdoor recreation, and more.

• St. Cloud Shines — Community quality-of-life initiative covering arts, economy, education, housing, and sustainability across the region.

• Greater St. Cloud — Regional economic development nonprofit serving Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns counties. Tracks business growth, innovation, and regional investment.

• Develop St. Cloud — Business development and site selection resource for the city, with data on the local economy and workforce.

• Visit Downtown St. Cloud — Guide to dining, shopping, arts, and entertainment in the downtown core.

• St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce — Connects local businesses and advocates for the regional economy.

• Stearns History Museum — Accredited museum set in a 100-acre nature park. The place to dig into the full story of how central Minnesota came to be.

State legislators representing St. Cloud

St. Cloud falls within two state House districts and one state Senate district.

State Senate — District 14 Aric Putnam (DFL) has represented Senate District 14 since 2020. The Senate district covers St. Cloud along with Waite Park, St. Augusta, St. Joseph, Sauk Rapids, and portions of Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns counties. Senator Putnam is on the August 11, 2026 primary ballot and, if he advances, will face a Republican challenger in the November 3 general election.

State House — District 14A (southwest St. Cloud) House District 14A covers southwest St. Cloud, Waite Park, St. Augusta, and portions of St. Joseph. This seat is open in 2026. The SD14 DFL convention endorsed Abdi Daisane for the 14A seat. The primary is August 11.

State House — District 14B (northeast St. Cloud and portions of Sauk Rapids) House District 14B covers the rest of St. Cloud along with portions of Sauk Rapids, Minden, and Haven Township. This seat is also open in 2026. Incumbent Dan Wolgamott (DFL), who has represented 14B since 2019, is retiring. The SD14 DFL convention endorsed Zachary Dorholt for the 14B seat. The primary is August 11.

Not sure which district you're in? Use the Minnesota Legislature's district finder to look up your address.

Your voting precincts

St. Cloud spans three counties, and elections within the city are coordinated between the St. Cloud City Clerk's office and the auditor offices of Stearns, Benton, and Sherburne counties. To find your specific precinct and polling place, use the MN Voter Information portal and enter your address.

Precinct chairs are volunteers elected at caucus to serve as the local point of contact for DFL organizing in each precinct. If you're interested in serving as a precinct chair in St. Cloud, contact SD14 DFL.

St. Cloud in the 2026 election

St. Cloud is a priority city for the DFL this election cycle. SD14 DFL has identified St. Cloud as a must-win city in 2026. All three legislative seats covering the city — Senate District 14 and House Districts 14A and 14B — are competitive in the August primary and November general election.

St. Cloud is also home to St. Cloud State University, a diverse and growing population, and a regional economy anchored by healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Housing affordability and public safety have been consistent local issues in recent election cycles.

Get involved in St. Cloud politics

• Find your precinct and polling place

• Register to vote or check your registration

• See upcoming SD14 DFL events

• Sign up to volunteer

• Contact SD14 DFL

SD14 DFL holds monthly Central Committee meetings at 1729 West St. Germain, St. Cloud every third Thursday at 6 p.m. (check the calendar before attending; sometimes the date is shifted for events or holidays). All are welcome.

Explore the other communities that make up SD-14:
Waite Park | St. Augusta | St. Joseph | Sauk Rapids