Turnberg Elected to City Commission as Top Vote-Getter

Fargo City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg announced her candidacy for mayor on April 6, 2026. Turnberg made the announcement during an appearance on The Jay Thomas Show, confirming her intention to run in the upcoming election scheduled for June 9, 2026.

Turnberg stated that her primary focus as mayor would be the maintenance and improvement of core city services. She specifically highlighted the importance of supporting first responders, including police and fire departments, to ensure residents feel secure within the city.

For me, top priorities would be core city services, so I think that’s extremely important. That means focusing on our first responders. Police, fire… Making sure people know that they are safe because perception is reality, so we want to feel safe in our city. Its important streets are taken care of our water sewer core city services and stop spending.

Michelle Turnberg via Valley News Live

In addition to infrastructure and public safety, Turnberg indicated that reducing city spending is a key component of her platform.

Political Background and 2024 Election

Turnberg entered the Fargo City Commission in June 2024. During that election, she was the top vote-getter among candidates for the two open seats on the commission. Turnberg received 21% of the total vote, narrowly finishing ahead of incumbent John Strand, who received 20% of the vote. The two candidates outperformed five other contenders in that race.

Under her current term, Turnberg’s seat on the commission is not set to expire until June 2028. However, her mayoral bid seeks to move her into the city’s top executive role ahead of that date.

Professional and Educational History

Turnberg moved from Minnesota to Fargo in the early 1990s to pursue her college education. She attended Concordia College, where she earned a degree in Biology, and later attended Minnesota State University Moorhead, where she received a degree in Mass Communications and Broadcast Journalism.

Following her education, Turnberg spent 16 years working as a news anchor for various local stations. This period in local media served as her introduction to local politics and the evolving requirements of the Fargo community. Currently, Turnberg works in medical sales and resides in south Fargo. She is the mother of two adult children who both attend North Dakota State University.

City Commission Responsibilities

Since her election in 2024, Turnberg has held several liaison roles across various city departments, and boards. Her current responsibilities include serving as the department liaison for Engineering, Information Services, and the Library.

Her committee and board assignments include:

• Committee Liaison: Metro COG, the Traffic Technical Advisory Committee, the Diversion Authority Land Management Committee, and as an alternate for the Diversion Authority.
• Board Liaison: The Library Board, the House Moving Board, the Special Assessment Commission, and as an alternate for the Red River Basin Board.

The mayoral election will take place on June 9, 2026.