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.

Bemidji City Council Member Ward 3

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.Voting in local elections is important - learn more here: Why Vote for City Council

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

    Katie Carter
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Mark Dickinson
    (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)

Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Contact Phone 218-766-9887
I love Bemidji. I was born and raised here, graduating from Bemidji High School in 1977 and Bemidji State University in 1982 with a business degree. I am passionate about our town and area, and I am very thankful every day for my faith, family, friends and for being able to live and work in this beautiful area. I have raised livestock, worked in the construction industry, and for the last 40 years have worked in the real estate business and owned and rented residential and commercial real estate. I think my history in Bemidji, my work experience, my work ethic, and my passion for our city and the people that live here give me a unique perspective on how to help this community continue to thrive and prosper.
Public safety, making Bemidji more inviting to new commercial and residential development, and operating within our means are my priorities. We need to keep our city safe by supporting law enforcement, and all public employees, by giving them the tools and resources necessary to do their jobs. We need to take down barriers to commercial and residential development in our city so that we can continue to grow and prosper. We need to live within our means, by not wasting money foolishly.
Our family is active and supportive of our community. We attend many events, especially ones that support our youth, our community groups and churches. I am available to listen to concerns of all the people in our area. While I will be representing Ward 3, if elected, I will always look towards what is best for the Bemidji area as a whole and I will always welcome input from all area residents, business owners, and employees of our businesses.
Major decisions made by the City Council should be made by all of our elected officials with informed input from staff and area residents and stakeholders. Making sure staff understands what their duties and responsibilities are and who they report to is key. All, including(especially) elected officials, need to be held accountable.

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.