Meet Dave “Superdave” Juntunen
Let's be transparent from the start: I’m not a politician.
I don’t have a political background, and I’m probably not the most “traditional” candidate you’ll see. But I do live here. I pay taxes here. And like a lot of you, I’ve reached a point where I can’t just sit back and complain anymore without stepping up and trying to be part of the solution.
Since moving to Northfield in 2019, I’ve watched property taxes climb to the point where they’re nearly doubling housing costs. I can absorb that to a degree—but what about people on fixed incomes? What about the families and residents who built this community? We are at risk of pricing people out of the very city they helped create.
That’s not right.
I also believe we need to take a hard look at spending and accountability. The city doesn’t have a revenue problem—it has a spending problem. And if we’re going to ask residents to pay more, we owe them transparency, discipline, and respect in how those dollars are used.
At the same time, Northfield is special. Its history, its character, its identity—those are things worth protecting. Growth isn’t the problem. Losing who we are is.
And maybe the biggest issue of all: communication.
Too many people feel like they’re not being heard. Decisions get made, votes get cast, and residents are left wondering how their voice factored in—if it did at all. That needs to change. In today’s world, there’s no reason we can’t create better ways for residents to weigh in and hold their representatives accountable.
If elected, my job is simple: Listen to the people of my ward, represent them honestly, and vote accordingly.
That’s it.
I believe anyone serving in this role should bring:
- Respect for the City Charter and the public’s right to vote on major decisions
- Financial awareness and responsibility
- A commitment to real, two-way communication with residents
- A willingness to preserve what makes Northfield, Northfield
I don’t claim to have all the answers. But I do believe in asking the right questions, listening to the people affected, and making decisions based on what’s best for the community—not politics.
At the end of the day, this isn’t about me. It’s about making sure Northfield remains a place where people can afford to live, feel heard, and take pride in their community. As a single father who wishes to preserve a community for his daughter, that's what I hope to do.
If you feel the same way, I’d appreciate your support and thank you for the opportunity to be of service.
Dave “Superdave” Juntunen
Candidate for City Council
Q&A
Q. Rising taxes are a high priority in the community. What is your process for budgeting and prioritizing projects?
A. Northfield's tax levy jumped 15.8% in 2025 and nearly 10% again in 2026 — that's not sustainable. My approach is simple: needs before wants, and every line item has to justify itself. I'll push back on big spending commitments made without real public input. We don't have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem.
Q. What are your solutions for addressing the housing shortage and affordability issues in our community?
A. When property taxes spike 10-15% a year, landlords raise rents and home prices follow. You can't solve affordability while making ownership more expensive. Northfield needs to get spending under control, reduce the tax burden, and let housing become attainable again without adding more costly city programs.
Q. How will you engage with constituents you represent if elected to the Northfield City Council?
A. I'll hold regular open office hours, maintain a website and active social media, and actually show up — at community events, neighborhood meetings, wherever people are. You'll be able to reach me directly and get real answers.
Q. How do you view the balance of power in Northfield between the city admin/staff and the mayor/council?
A. I'm still learning the full structure, and I'll be honest about that. What I do know is the council sets policy direction — staff carries it out. Too many residents feel decisions are already made before the public ever hears about them. I'll ask hard questions publicly and make sure your voice is more than just a comment period at the end of a done deal.
