Nowthen City Council Votes to Keep Flying Minnesota State Flag

Council rejects motion to remove current and former state flag designs

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Nowthen City Council voted 3-2 to continue flying the current Minnesota state flag, rejecting a motion by Council Member Ken Glaser to remove both the current and former versions from city property. Mayor Shane Hybben and Council Members Mary Rainville and Dan Swenson voted against Glaser's motion, arguing that removing the flag would be a partisan act.

Why it matters

The debate over the Minnesota state flag redesign has become a politically charged issue, with some residents dissatisfied with the process and the new design. The Nowthen City Council's decision to keep flying the current flag reflects the ongoing tensions around this topic within the local community.

The details

Council Member Ken Glaser argued that the redesign process was partisan and that the city should not fly a state flag unless a bipartisan process produced a new design. He said over 70% of Nowthen voters did not get representation in the redesign. However, Council Member Dan Swenson said removing the flag would itself be a partisan act, and Council Member Mary Rainville, who identifies as a Democrat, said she does not let her personal politics influence her decisions on the council.

  • The Nowthen City Council voted on the issue on February 10, 2026.
  • Glaser had previously raised the issue in November 2025.

The players

Ken Glaser

A Nowthen City Council member who proposed removing the current and former Minnesota state flags from city property.

Shane Hybben

The mayor of Nowthen who voted against Glaser's motion.

Mary Rainville

A Nowthen City Council member who voted against Glaser's motion, despite identifying as a Democrat.

Dan Swenson

A Nowthen City Council member who voted against Glaser's motion, arguing that removing the flag would be a partisan act.

Dan Breyen

A Nowthen City Council member who said tradition alone was not a sufficient reason to continue flying the flag.

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What they’re saying

“'Over 70% of Nowthen voters from both precincts did not get representation in the redesign of their state flag,'”

— Ken Glaser, Nowthen City Council member (hometownsource.com)

“'It is the Minnesota state flag. You leave the Minnesota state flag up on the flag pole… I would feel, you know, if we pull that down, what's to stop us from having some Trump hater say take down the American flag, or put up, you know, a Confederate flag or put up a rainbow flag?'”

— Dan Swenson, Nowthen City Council member (hometownsource.com)

“'I'm a Democrat — I was born and raised a Democrat,' adding that voters have continued to elect her because they separate personal politics from local governance.”

— Mary Rainville, Nowthen City Council member (hometownsource.com)

What’s next

The Nowthen City Council's decision to keep flying the current Minnesota state flag is likely to continue being a topic of discussion and debate within the local community.

The takeaway

The Nowthen City Council's vote reflects the ongoing tensions around the Minnesota state flag redesign process, with some residents seeing it as a partisan issue and others arguing that local government should remain nonpartisan. This decision highlights the challenges of navigating politically charged topics at the municipal level.