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

Forest Lake City Council Member {_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.A candidate forum for this race is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlFimfOtqTI&t=5s. More MN forums are available at https://www.lwvmn.org/2024-candidate-forums.

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

    Jeff Larson
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Hanna Valento
    (NP)

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    Jesse Wade Wagner
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Susan Young
    (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 6514391528
Campaign Email jefflarson10@comcast.net
Service for others has been a driving force in my life instilled in me at a young age. Spending 34 years in law enforcement in Washington county showed me how a successful community can create peace and stability for families. Over the last two years I have served on the Economic Development Authority and the City Planning Commission. Through this I have gained experience in what it takes to continue to invest in our city from a business standpoint as well as from citizens to balance the needs of the Forest Lake community. I feel this opportunity of becoming a Council Member will allow me to have a listening ear and a new voice to help create what comes next for Forest Lake.
First is to invest more in infrastructure. A successful balance of new and existing businesses to attract new residents. Second is public safety. Encouraging neighborhood connections between community members and police/fire departments will foster trust and create deeper ties. Ensuring enough staff, equipment and training is also imperative. Third, keeping the lakes healthy is integral as it provides recreation for the community and creates revenue opportunities for local businesses.
Forest Lake is fortunate to continue to experience a diverse community of different religions, cultures, genders, ages and abilities. We as a city need to continue to focus on this diversity to create a stronger community. Perhaps offering City Council members to attend cultural events outside of the usual city events to continue to gain a better understanding of these needs and connection opportunities. Leverage the FL City/Government page for opportunities to share our community diversity.
Continuing to support the offerings of open city forums for any City Meetings with cable access, recordings, updates in the local paper and City website are all great steps toward transparency and accountability. Being available via email, phone or texts as a City Council member for community members to reach out for clarity or input beyond meeting times is also an accountability step, I would support. Also attending neighborhood meetings as a representative could also create accountability.
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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.