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

Farmington 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.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

    Jake Cordes
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Joshua Gore
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Justin Wiles
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Steve Wilson
    (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 6512498653
Facebook (Full URL) http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563437915305
Campaign Email cordesforcitycouncil@gmail.com
I have extensive experience in local government, including 8 years on the Farmington Area School Board and service on the City's Economic Development Authority. These experiences have provided me with extensive knowledge of responsible policymaking and budgeting, transparent communication, and collaborating with others who hold different perspectives. Additionally, I live and breathe public service, I have been involved in a number of local organizations including the Dew Days planning committee, Farmington Area Education Foundation, President of the Tiger Fan Club, and most recently as a member of the Rotary Club of Farmington. Community service is my passion and I hope to bring that passion to the Farmington City Council.
Economic Development: Focus on attracting new businesses and retaining current ones. Fiscal Responsibility: Spend taxpayer dollars wisely on core services like public safety, infrastructure, and parks. Collaboration: Work with local governments, businesses, and partners at all levels to promote and improve Farmington.
The most important aspect in community engagement is participation; and I have and will continue to show up at various community events throughout our community and listen to our residents. Whether it's community celebrations, sporting events, National Night Out, or any other event, I will try my hardest to attend and meet in person with Farmington residents.
Transparency is critical in City decision making, and I believe that the City of Farmington currently does a good job at making decisions in the open. I will continue that work if I'm elected to the City Council and will do what I can to ensure Farmington residents are well informed in the decisions being made at City Hall.
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During my time of serving the City on either the City Council or previously on the Economic Development Authority, I continue to bring a common sense perspective towards serving. I want to make sure that city taxes are as low as possible while balancing the needs of good roads, parks and trails, strong police and fire departments. Being part of a team that has a single mission of making the quality of life in Farmington outstanding is critical. In addition to serving, I am also active with many different community events and organizations and am continuing to look for ways to support our local businesses. I pride myself on listening to residents while I may not always agree, I will always listen and make sure their voice is heard.
Ensure the completion of the completely renovated Rambling River Center.

Continue strengthening our park and trail system which includes adding a skate park, and other community amenities.

Develop a plan that can be implemented to to expand our police station along with making critical safety improvements.

The safety, well-being and ability to thrive requires prioritzing our police department. Continued improvement in parks and facilities ensures our residents can thrive in Farmington.
Farmington has so many ways for residents to engage with Council and our various commissions so I always encourage this. I think if we continue to be a welcoming community that as the demographics change over time, this will create new leaders who I hope will step up to make their voices heard.
I believe Farmington is very transparent however with any level of government, transparency is critically important. We make all of our decisions openly for the public to see and hear how we are managing the city. The city sends out a mailing to every resident the Farmington Currents newsletter to keep residents informed. It does take a bit of effort by residents to engage through the mail, social media or even by attending a Council meeting and we welcome everyone's engagement.
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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.