With all five wards reporting, unofficial results indicate two women prevailed against their male opponents.
Results are considered unofficial until canvassed by local elected officials.
In the City of Bemidji, Ward 1’s Audrey Thayer appears to have narrowly won the Council At-Large race, leading Ward 3’s Ron Johnson by just over one percent.
Incumbent Ward 4 council member Emelie Rivera led her opponent Dave Hoefer by nearly eight percentage points.
With Thayer’s projected victory, the council is anticipated to declare a vacancy for the Ward 1 seat, a term that is effective through the end of 2024.
The earliest special election for Ward 1 is expected in April.
Johnson’s term in Ward 3 is also effective through the end of 2024, but after redistricting, Johnson currently resides in Ward 1.
Audrey Thayer
Emelie Rivera
