Rafael OrtegaServing

Rafael Ortega

CountyIndependent

MN-Ramsey County District 5 County

Puerto Rican (parents from Puerto Rico, raised on Lower East Side of New York City)·Chair, Ramsey County Board of Commissioners

Why This Race Matters

Ortega announced in December 2025 that he will not seek reelection, ending a historic 31-year tenure as the first person of color ever elected to the Ramsey County Board. His open seat has drawn State Rep. Maria Isa Perez-Vega (DFL-St. Paul) and St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker as candidates.

Ortega briefly announced he would run for reelection in November 2025 before reversing course three weeks later. He cited wanting to spend time with four generations of his family, including his mother, children, and grandchildren. His departure leaves a void in Latino representation on the Ramsey County Board that has existed since 1994.

About

Rafael Ortega is the longest-serving member of the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners, representing District 5 since 1994. He made history as the first person of color elected to the Ramsey County Board and the first Latino elected to any county board in Minnesota. A licensed clinical social worker who grew up in poverty on New York City's Lower East Side, he built CLUES into a major Twin Cities social service agency before entering politics. As Board Chair and Regional Rail Authority Chair, he led major transit investments including the Green Line LRT and Union Depot renovation. He announced in December 2025 that he will not seek reelection, ending his 31-year career in county government.

Family & Heritage

Son of Puerto Rican parents, grew up in poverty in the tenements of New York City's Lower East Side. Witnessed police abuse of Puerto Ricans as a child, which shaped his commitment to social justice and police accountability. Has lived in Ramsey County District 5 for over 50 years. Parent of two children: Gabriela, a University of Saint Thomas graduate who served as El Sol Director for Boy Scouts of America's Northern Star Council, and Emilio, a Central High School and Saint Paul College graduate who works at Apple. Became a grandfather to two granddaughters in 2020. Mother is still living as of 2025.

Political Career

Before Politics

Licensed independent clinical social worker. Front-line social worker in early career. Outreach Director for Minnesota Council of Churches. Executive Director of CLUES (Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio) from 1985 to 1995, growing the organization from a $100,000 budget to $3 million serving 15,000+ clients. Under his leadership, CLUES expanded services to include employment, education, chemical health, senior programs, an afterschool program called La Escuelita, and a new service center in South Minneapolis.

Education

B.A., Fordham University, New York City; M.S.W. (Master of Social Work), University of Minnesota (1981)

Key Issues & Priorities

*Transit and regional transportation (Green Line LRT, Union Depot renovation, Rush Line, Gold Line, Riverview Streetcar, second daily Amtrak to Chicago)
*Affordable housing (funded 2,000+ units, $50M+ in investments, established Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy)
*Mental health and chemical dependency services (created 402 University award-winning facility)
*Economic development and job creation (TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons, Vikings stadium advocacy)
*DACA protections (only MN county official to sign letter to Congress)
*Police accountability and sentencing reform
*Sustainable infrastructure (Roseville Library to LEED Gold Standard)

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