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

Lauderdale 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 CouncilA forum for the candidates in this race will be held on September 30 at 7:00 pm (there will be no live audience). Watch the forum live on Nine North cable channel HD859 or SD15 https://ninenorth.org/live-tv/channel-15/ and after on Nine North https://ninenorth.org/speak-outs/

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

    Michael J Brindamour
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Jeffrey Dains
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Josh Dirksen
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Duane Pulford
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Gregory Williams
    (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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Campaign Website http://jeffdains.com
Contact Phone 6516457068
Campaign Email jeffreydains@gmail.com
I am a 37-year resident of Lauderdale. My wife and I have raised our two children here in this City which I love. I have served the City Council for two terms and am its former mayor. I have made a point of getting to know our residents and seeking out their concerns. My knowledge and experience have served the City well and I will continue to support our unique small town feeling, make our City safe and help it thrive.

Environmental sustainability: Even a small community can do significant things, to help ameliorate climate change. I support pollinator-friendly landscaping and tree planting and preserving green space Transportation: We need to improve bus service, and reconstruct Eustis and Fulham Streets, to better serve our residents.

Financial stability: I will support more redevelopment in our commercial district.

I will continue to seek out community input through periodic door knocking, attending community block parties and reaching out to residents at community events.

In MInnesota all city councils are required to abide by the open meeting law which insures transparency. All citizens are encouraged to attend City Council meetings. In addition I will promote town hall meetings on specific issues.

Democracy starts at home. Local politics are the beginning of our process. It sets the tone for how our government will function all the way up to the federal level. Nowhere is our democracy more impactful than right here in our neighborhood. We live in a small community but that doesn’t mean our ideas or actions must be small. I believe with the right leadership our quirky little town can set the pace for the rest of the metro. Lauderdale Leads! is more than a slogan. It’s a mindset!

I believe the skills I’ve cultivated in negotiation, critical thinking, and creative problem solving give me a unique opportunity to serve our city.
Responsible & Accountable Policing - It is my expectation that our police force should be positive members of our community.

Community Engagement - Culture and engagement socially and politically is important. We need fun social events as well as community involvement in the decisions made by government.

A Voice for Renters - Too often the voice of the property owner is given priority over the voice of the renter. I value both voices and will listen to both working to find a balance.
For thirteen years I worked with an international team. It was my distinct pleasure to learn to communicate with and adapt to many wonderful cultures. The most important thing I learned was to listen and strive to understand the other persons experiences are not the same as mine.

It is unfair to expect that people from different cultures will be comfortable speaking in council chambers. Meeting people where they feel confident is vital. I endorse meetings with citizens outside city hall.

Too many times I have attended city council meetings and felt like the decision has already been made and public input is just pageantry.

I will push for opening up the process. Taking input online from social media accounts or the city website in addition to holding regular discussion sessions with the public. Making city council members available at social events planned by a citizen run social committee is an initiative I am passionate about.
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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.