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

St. James 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

    Joseph McCabe
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Christopher Michael Whitehead
    (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)

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Contact Phone 507-621-0166
Campaign Email joe_p_mcabe@msn.com
I have served as a city administrator, interim city administrator and city manager for Madelia, Mountain Lake and St. James in excess of 36 years. I am very active in the community as a member of Rotary, Lions club and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, along with a number of other organizations. I am retired which makes me very accessible to the general public. I am willing to take the time to listen to the concerns of all members of the community.
Address business buildings and houses in the community that are missing windows, partially renovated and in need to be either finished or destroyed. These places affect the tax base of the area that they are located and are eyesores. Addressing the removal of dead trees on private property where senior citizens cannot afford to have them removed. A danger to the neighborhood. Work with the state legislature to designate community ambulance services as an essential function of the city.
Work with the city council to make sure that the staff is being held accountable for their actions, as professional employees of the city. Be willing to spend the funds necessary to properly train the staff in positive communication with residents.
Utilize the One St. James Program and Coffee with the Mayor by expanding the times that these organizations meet so that we are including factory and residents that work out of the city can attend. On major issues, slow the process and utilize every avenue of communication prior to having the council take action.
We are blessed with an excellent police force that continues to be a training ground for young officers. We need to continue to work at longer retention and provide the tools necessary for them to continue to do the job in a professional manner.
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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.