This post is from the website of gregcopeland911.wordpress.com by permission of the Greg Copeland Campaign, which was originally posted on October 25, 2026 under the name, “Pioneer Press Questions Asked and Answered to Greg Copeland for Ramsey County District 3.” — admin
Map of Ramsey County Commission District 3 link
Ramsey County District 3 has all of HD 66B in it.
This post is an excerpt from the Pioneer Press’ October 5, 2026 Post “2026 Election Ramsey County Races: Here’s a look at who is running.”
Initially the idea was to just put Greg’s information here. Then seeing the incumbent’s answers to the same questions seem like a word salad that really says he isn’t qualified to serve on the board. Then the fact he was endorsed by the DFL in a nonpartisan race says he has no qualifications. One of his goals listed in his Top Priorities is to attack President Trump and resist his restoration of the Republic here. McMurtrey would rather have a sanctuary for Foreign Invaders where there are more of them at Metro Square asking for SNAP & General Assistance instead of to Needy US Citizens and Disabled Veterans. His wife Senator Clare Verbeten has the same mentality over at the Minnesota Senate.
All the social malaise and economic misery in Ramsey County is due to a Board that serves a Party rather than We The People. There is a clear choice in this race and that’s to elect someone with common sense to the County board instead of someone who thinks Affordability is all about taking more money out of your pocket to spend it foolishly. Then blaming others for their failures.
Ramsey County Board District 3
Greg Copeland Age: 72
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Fiscal Reform & Right-Size the scope of County Government which would Reduce Spending and Cut Property Tax Levies.
Since 2023 spending has increased by $180 Million and annual tax hikes have almost doubled, 4.54% in 2024 to 8.25% in 2026; and Commissioners approved another 8.25% increase in the 2027 Maximum Levy!
Ramsey County must get out of the LRT, Trolley and Bus Line business, and leave building the $373.2 Million Bronze BusLine Roadway from Downtown to Maplewood Mall to the MET Council!
The RC Regional Rail Authority and its’ $36.2 Million Property Tax Levy ended.
Additionally Ramsey County should cancel their $320 Million “Building Together” program to build a riverfront park in Downtown St. Paul for $140 Million, there are already a dozen Downtown Parks, plus Harriet Island and Raspberry Island!
The County should leave the proposed $100 Million in new streetlights, sidewalks and roads to the City of St. Paul. Also rather than spend $70 Million to fix -up surplus properties before placing them on the market, let’s just get them listed for sale now!
What qualifies you to hold this position?
City Manager of Maplewood, 2006-2008.
St. Paul Capital Improvement Board, CIB, 1994 – 2000.
St. Paul Charter Commission 1996-2008.
Fomer Community Action Agency Deputy Director
Private Industry Council Contract Compliance Monitor
Community College Trustee and Government Reporter.
B.A. Political Science, Saint Leo University, Saint Leo Florida
Graduate Studies In Public Administration & Management Hamline University, Saint Paul Minnesota
What do you think is the primary role of government?
Provide for the Public’s Safety & Administration of Justice.
Effective, Efficient and fiscally accountable delivery of vital Public Heath and Human Services to protect vulnerable adults and children as well as critical infrastructure, roads, bridges and stormwater drainage.
Supporting employment services for job seekers and employers and intellectual pursuits through Libraries and Recreational activities for all ages.
Innovative Partnerships with other governments to advance sustainable solutions to complex problems such as First Time Home Ownership leveraging financial opportunities to involve banks and foundations are of particular value to meet societal challenges.
How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?
Limiting the people, the taxpayers to only three minutes is not a productive way to gather information or exchange opinions on public policy. This has been current practice for many years at all public hearings, and if there is no public hearing there is no interaction with the Commissioners and the voters, whose silence is commanded!
The County Commission must act to engage in new ways with the public, such as public question and answer sessions, or District Forums with individual commissioners on important topics to the community.
Being receptive to frequent open public discussions is important to engage citizens in serious conversations and collaborative policy making.
I see enhanced public engagement as critical to addressing and understanding public expectations.
It is Time for a Change!
Website or contact information: gregcopeland1@comcast.net
Same questions to Garrison McMurtrey
Garrison McMurtry Age: 37
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Since, I have only been in this position for a year and a half, many of my priorities from last year, still stand. Overall, I want to continue to fight for economic justice and ensure that it is at the forefront of the work that we do at the county. A few specific areas that I want to focus on are 1. Prioritizing growing our tax base to ensure that we can lessen the burden on property taxes. 2. Growing our affordable housing stock and investing in the entire housing continuum so that residents remain on the path to stable and secure housing. 3. Investing in multimodal infrastructure that supports families, workers and businesses. Under all of this work will also be my commitment to fight back again the Trump administration and their attacks on the basic needs of our community.
What qualifies you to hold this position?
I have had the honor of serving in this role for the last year and a half since winning a selection election last year. I have learned a lot in that time on the inner working of county government and have built strong relationship with stakeholders who will help provide solutions to residents. In addition to my time serving on the board, I also bring the lived experience of someone who has had to rely on the services provided my our county government. Growing up, my family needed SNAP to put food on the table. So, when I see the cuts and cost shifts that the federal government is making to that program, it makes me think of my family and countless others that will be directly impacted. As well as the role we must play at the county level to protect our communities and fight for the resources we need.
What do you think is the primary role of government?
I continue to believe that the role of government is to step up and ensure that all of the people in our community have an opportunity and an environment where they can thrive. County government in particular is often times overlooked and yet we are the safety net for so many in our community. I also believe it’s our responsibility to ensure that the public is aware of what we offer and how we can help make their lives better.
How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?
Relationship building and getting to know individuals as human beings has always been my key to working with folks who have differing views than myself. Taking the time to understand their point of view and lived experience, as well as where we might align on the end goal, has helped create a space to robust, respectful conversations. Then through that relationship and understanding, we can work towards solutions.
This post was not authorized by any candidate, or candidate’s committee, nor any PAC, or other Republican Party Units in Minnesota. We were not compensated for posting it.
Greg Copeland is a nonpartisan candidate who has been endorsed for legislative races as a Republican in the past. Ramsey County District 3 has all of HD 66B in it. So we are posting his information. This is not an endorsement. — admin
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