Democrats in St. Joseph, MN

St. Joseph is a city of about 7,000 residents in Stearns County, located roughly eight miles west of St. Cloud along the I-94 corridor. It sits primarily within Senate District 14, making the SD14 DFL the local Democratic-Farmer-Labor organization for St. Joseph residents. 

The city punches well above its weight as home to a nationally recognized liberal arts college, an unusually lively small-town commercial district, and one of the youngest median ages of any city in central Minnesota.

St. Joseph at a Glance

The youth of St. Joseph’s population is largely driven by the College of Saint Benedict, a private women's liberal arts college with about 1,400 students that sits at the center of community life. CSB and its partner institution, Saint John's University in nearby Collegeville, together enroll about 3,500 students and draw faculty, staff, and visitors who contribute to the local economy year-round.

The College of Saint Benedict

The College of Saint Benedict grew out of Saint Benedict's Academy, founded by Benedictine sisters who arrived in Minnesota in 1857 — a year before Minnesota became a state. The college opened formally in 1913 and has been a cornerstone of St. Joseph ever since. CSB and SJU together offer over 70 areas of study across their shared curriculum, and the CSB/SJU Fine Arts Series brings theater, music, and dance programming to central Minnesota audiences throughout the year.

A small town with an outsized food and drink scene

St. Joseph's downtown is a hidden gem in central Minnesota. Local businesses include Bad Habit Brewery, Milk & Honey Ciders, Krewe Restaurant, and Jupiter Moon Ice Cream among others. A mix of craft food and drink, independent retail, and local services anchored by the college-town energy the city generates. The community brands itself Joetown, and the name fits.

The Lake Wobegon Trail

St. Joseph sits along the Lake Wobegon Trail, a paved multi-use trail that runs 65 miles from St. Joseph east through the region. The trail connects St. Joseph to Holdingford, Albany, Avon, and eventually Osakis, and is one of the premier recreational trails in greater Minnesota.

State legislators representing St. Joseph

St. Joseph falls across two state House districts and one state Senate district. The city boundary straddles the 14A and 14B line — check the district finder below to confirm which House district applies to your address.

State Senate — District 14

Aric Putnam (DFL) is the incumbent state senator representing Senate District 14, which includes St. Joseph. The Senate district covers St. Joseph along with St. Cloud, Waite Park, St. Augusta, Sauk Rapids, and portions of Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns counties.

State House — District 14A (portions of St. Joseph)

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.

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

St. Joseph in the 2026 election

St. Joseph elections are administered through the Stearns County Auditor's office. 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 who serve as the local DFL point of contact in each precinct. If you're interested in serving as a precinct chair in St. Joseph, contact SD14 DFL.

St. Joseph falls across both Senate DIstricts 14 and 13, meaning residents may see different races on their primary and general election ballots depending on their address.

Explore St. Joseph

  • Visit Joetown — St. Joseph's convention and visitors bureau. Local businesses, events, and community information.

  • City of St. Joseph — Official city website with city services, news, and community resources.

  • College of Saint Benedict — Home to CSB and SJU, with arts programming, public events, and community partnerships.

  • Visit Greater St. Cloud — Regional events, dining, outdoor recreation, and more.

  • Greater St. Cloud — Regional economic development nonprofit serving Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns counties.

  • Stearns History Museum — Accredited museum in St. Cloud serving the entire tri-county region.

Get involved in St. Joseph

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 shifts for events or holidays). St. Joseph residents are welcome!

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

Outreach and Inclusion Statement

The DFL seeks to end discrimination and bigotry in all its forms and to inspire broad participation in our party. As a part of our commitment to outreach and inclusion, we will take affirmative steps to increase the participation of members of all underrepresented communities.