Minnesota and North Dakota Voter's Guide

Forum Communications Co., in collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Minnesota and of North Dakota, is providing this voter guide to help keep you informed ahead of the 2024 election.

  • Learn where candidates running for office in your community stand on the issues.
  • Build your ballot before voting. Print or email the information to use as a reference when you actually vote.

We do not save your information; it will be lost when you leave this page. Only candidates that appear on your ballot will be listed. Additional information may be available for your area so be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page for other voters’ guides.

Cass County Commissioner District 3

County commissioners are the county s key policymakers. They oversee the administration of the county, set county budget, and participate in county long-range planning. County services that they oversee include a wide variety of social service and welfare programs, as well as certain public health programs. Learn more about the day in the life of a county commissioner in this video from the Association of Minnesota Counties.

Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.

  • Candidate picture

    Karen Goodenough
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Rusty Lilyquist
    (NP)

Biographical Information

If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (750 characters)

How would you ensure election laws do not create barriers to Minnesotans’ freedom to vote while also ensuring safe and secure elections? (500 characters)

What do you see as the biggest challenges to mental health and social services in your county, and how would you address them? (500 characters)

Campaign Website http://www.karen4cass.com
Contact Phone 612-298-8592
Campaign Email info@karen4cass.com
1. Commitment to Community: I am dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of our area, and ensuring strong, sustainable local infrastructure in Cass County.

2. Support for Local Economy: I aim to boost the local economy by supporting businesses and fostering public-private partnerships.

3. Fiscal Responsibility and Quality of Life: I emphasize maintaining fiscal responsibility, leading sustainable progress, and enhancing the quality of life for all residents- particularly children, veterans, the elderly, and victims of abuse.
In my capacity as county commissioner, I will ensure the Auditor/Treasurer, in their role as the elected official responsible for administering the elections process, has the resources they need to properly do their job. If and when appropriate, I will work with my local legislators to share how elections legislation could impact counties in ensuring safe and secure elections.
The biggest challenges in Cass County include shortages of local mental and chemical health professionals and facilities, and limited affordable housing options. Stigma and lack of awareness of services discourage many from seeking help. I would work with city/township and county leaders to work together toward solutions. Options may involve actively seeking providers to serve the area, improving tele-health access, leveraging state and local funding for housing, and awareness initiatives.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.

The League of Women Voters of Minnesota and North Dakota crafted the questions sent to the candidates in the Spring of 2024. They reached out to candidates based on contact information in their public candidate filings. Candidates with email addresses were invited and reminded with emails. Candidates with only mailing addresses were sent a letter. Candidates with phone numbers received a phone call as well.

Candidate responses are published as they responded and have not been edited, except when responses were longer than the given character limit. In those cases, the responses are truncated.

VOTE411 is brought to you by the League of Women Voters Education Fund and League of Women Voters of Minnesota Education Fund. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any political party or candidate for office.