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.

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Voter Guide

Columbus City Council Member At Large {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

As local legislators who sometimes have executive power, council members can propose ordinances, set administrative policy, and authorize the budget proposed by the mayor. They oversee all city activities, including city services, programs, licensing, and public safety. Mayoral appointments to city government typically require council approval. Learn more here: https://www.lwv.org/blog/voting-local-matters-why-vote-city-councilUse the MN Secretary of State’s Candidate Filing page (https://candidates.sos.state.mn.us/) to find specific candidate contact information.

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

    Rob Busch
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Jennifer Lattin
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Scott Wendell
    (NP)

Biographical Information

Why are you the best candidate for this position? (750 characters)

If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (500 characters)

How do you plan to engage with and represent all members of our diverse community?(500 characters)

What steps will you take to ensure transparency and accountability in city government? (500 characters)

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Contact Phone 6514310171
Campaign Email scottw4columbis@yahoo.com
I have a long history of serving people in the community with integrity, even when it can be hard to do so. I’m currently serving the people of Columbus as a volunteer member of the city's Planning Commission. I also serve on the Ramsey County Business Advisory Council for hazardous waste generators. In the past, I served on the Columbus Public Works Advisory Board – Road Paving Sub-committee and been on the board of directors for several non-profits and community organizations. For twenty-one years I served as a police officer before starting a business with my wife based out of our Columbus home. My dedication to service has been life long and is reflected in my personal motto, Rise, Serve, Persist, Repeat.
Our shared vision is to keep Columbus, "Rural by Nature, Urban Access". Attracting businesses that are a good fit for our city with proper zoning districts will keep personal property taxes low. A threat to this is the improper use of Tax Increment Financing (TFI). I'm very aware of how improper use of TIF can cost taxpayers money. The new state cannabis law requirements need to be properly managed by the city. The city's septic system ordinance needs to be updated to comply with state code.
I have no personal agenda or political aspirations other than serving the public. I admit I’m a bit of a local government geek. In my twenty years as a resident of Columbus I followed the city meetings and paid attention to what was going on locally. I encourage everyone to attend public hearings, council and Planning Commission meetings or watch them online. Volunteer for one of the city’s advisory boards. Speak with a council or planning commission member or me at scottw4columbus@yahoo.com.
It is my experience that current Columbus officials follow open meeting laws with no back door promises or shady deals. Recently a group of election judges, the Anoka County Election Integrity Team (ACEIT) stated 60% of voters no longer trust our elections. I support their efforts and six recommendations to be proactive with election integrity in the face of recent state law changes for voting. This includes a city resolution for a Post-Election Review (PER) following contested elections.
Powered by League of Women Voters Education Fund

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.