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.
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Voter Guide

Cloquet City Council Member Ward 1

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. Learn more here: https://www.lwv.org/blog/voting-local-matters-why-vote-city-councilUse the MN Secretary of State’s Candidate Filing page (https://candidates.sos.mn.gov/) to find specific candidate contact information.

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

    Brenda Carlson
    (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 Twitter Handle @
Campaign Email sopranofirst2@gmail.com
My experience as a public employee gives me a unique perspective as a candidate. I understand and have 20+ years of budgeting, funding, and Human Resources experience. Accountability and affordability are vital issues for our citizens. I will listen to the concerns of my constituents and do my best to affect change. Communication is vital, not just during election years.
Affordable housing is a key issue for young families and low income citizens. Public safety and crime prevention are also issues identified by Cloquet residents. I feel that exploring potential legislation on how cities and towns can collect revenue other than property taxes should be a priority to explore.
Through my employment as a public employee for almost 40 years I have extensive experience and almost daily engagement with a wide variety of diverse citizens. I am open to listening to my constituents and will encourage creative problem solving and will consider potential cultural implications in decision making.
Transparency is key for public servants. This can involve encouraging constituents to attend city council meetings and participate in opportunities for public engagement. I will do my best to address concerns as soon as possible and candidly. Communication on why something can or cannot happen strengthens public trust. Data privacy and confidentiality also applies to City Councilors and that should be communicated when applicable.
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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.

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