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.

Start Over

Voter Guide

New Brighton City Mayor

The mayor is usually the head of the city and may represent the city in front of other government bodies. They also can preside at council meetings and appoint city workers. A mayor usually has a role in proposing a city budget which influences services provided to residents and can veto ordinances proposed by the city council.Voting in local elections is important - learn more here: Why Vote for Mayor

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

    Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas
    (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)

If elected, what strategies will you use to ensure transparency, accountability and ethical conduct in city government under your leadership? (500 characters)

How will you engage with residents to solicit feedback, involve them in decision-making processes, and ensure their voices are heard? (500 characters)

How will you approach public safety and community policing to ensure the well-being of all residents? (500 characters)

{_btnLabelFor(compare1, _isInSelection(compare1))}
{_btnLabelFor(compare2, _isInSelection(compare2))}
Campaign Website http://votekarint.com
Facebook (Full URL) http://www.facebook.com/VoteKariNT
Campaign Email kari@votekarint.com
I have earnestly served as Mayor of New Brighton for the past 4 years. As I seek re-election to my third term, I continue to be energized at building community together. I have placed my more than 30 years of experience to work for New Brighton and led with my values in action. My leadership and success in the private, public, civic, and nonprofit sectors has served New Brighton well with me as Mayor, as our city deserves committed elected leaders who bring optimism and vision for a positive, professional, and purposeful council. We have accomplished much, yet there is more to achieve for New Brighton. I commit to community engagement, competitive economic plans, and other resident and business ideas so New Brighton is a regional leader.
TRANSPARENCY: We succeeded at increasing transparency for decisions we are considering and decisions made. I have focused on making the city accessible, visible, and transparent. COMMUNITY: This Council prioritized equity-centered, accessible events to bring us together to city policies that ask who is adversely impacted. HOUSING—Our housing needs are positively enhanced by completing our first Housing Study, measuring affordability and policy solutions for single-family homeowners and renters.
We made investments in public feedback sessions for concept plans in corridor visioning, parks designs, and our now approved Climate Action Plan. We increased social media posts across multiple channels and started an annual State of the City video, infographic, and report on priorities. We have e-newsletters to multiple audiences. We developed a public GIS map on various data across our departments to better report progress and services. I ensured that that the city communicates its strategies.
As Mayor, I listen AND act to embrace race and class realities with meaningful engagement and analysis of solutions. We hold town halls, welcome residents to speak with council and commissions, weekly host a city table at our Farmer’s Market, and actively reach out to community members for their insights and feedback. We conduct a resident survey every other year. I have had residents tell me that the work we are leading is visible, they feel seen, they are heard, and they know that they belong.
New Brighton’s model as a Department of Public Safety is an integrated approach and is a success for residents, businesses, and visitors. To continue our leadership, we just completed a Department of Public Safety organizational assessment and staffing study to intentionally plan for positive outcomes, identify new best practices, and innovate. Our volunteer New Brighton Fire Relief Association is appreciated for its dedication and has a well-managed retirement plan which provides stability.
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.