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.

Start Over

Voter Guide

Corcoran 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.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.Watch a candidate forum for this race recorded on September 21, 2026.

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

    Jon Bottema
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Abbie Hill
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Mark Lanterman
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Jason Woody
    (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)

{_btnLabelFor(compare1, _isInSelection(compare1))}
{_btnLabelFor(compare2, _isInSelection(compare2))}
elect Elect 2
Campaign Website http://www.BottemaForCorcoran.com
Campaign Email BottemaForCorcoran@gmail.com
I bring proven experience, financial discipline and a record of service to Corcoran. During my 2016–2025 City Council tenure, I helped guide budgets, infrastructure, development and public services through a period of significant growth. My 30 years in financial leadership and work as a CFA charterholder equip me to evaluate risk, debt and long-term costs—not just immediate promises. As an EMT and former firefighter/EMT, I understand public safety firsthand. I also know Corcoran as a resident, landowner and conservationist. I will ask hard questions, explain my decisions and work with residents, businesses and staff to keep Corcoran financially strong while protecting the community’s character.
My priorities are: 1) Maintain a disciplined, flexible budget so taxes remain reasonable and the city is never dependent on commercial taxes—or any single tax base—to pay its bills. 2) Manage growth so development pays its way and roads, water, stormwater and infrastructure keep pace. 3) Strengthen public safety while protecting neighborhoods, farms, property rights and Corcoran’s rural character. These priorities support responsible growth without sacrificing what makes Corcoran special.
I will listen before deciding and make myself accessible through meetings, community events, phone calls and direct conversations. Representation means hearing longtime residents and newcomers; families, seniors and young people; farmers, homeowners and businesses—including people who disagree with me. I will explain issues in plain language, seek input early rather than after decisions are made, and judge proposals by their effect on the entire community—not by who has the loudest voice.
I will insist that major decisions include clear public information about costs, financing, risks and long-term consequences. Budget assumptions, development incentives and performance measures should be understandable and available before votes are taken. I will ask difficult questions publicly, disclose conflicts, explain my votes and follow up when commitments are not met. Accountability also means responding to residents respectfully and admitting when the city—or I—can do better.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
elect Elect 2
Campaign Email MLANTERMAN@COMPFORENSICS.COM
I have served Corcoran for six years: four on the Planning Commission and two on the City Council. I know how growth happens here and how it gets paid for. My wife and I raised our nine children here, and I weigh every decision by what it means for Corcoran families at every stage of life. I ask hard questions before the city asks residents for more, and I pushed to mail every household before the city committed to a $50 million civic campus. I declined the council salary because I did not run for a paycheck. My approach is careful, not cheap: invest in what matters and question everything else.
First, holding the line on property taxes, because seniors on fixed incomes and working families are absorbing big increases. Second, growth that pays its own way, so roads, water and infrastructure keep up without shifting costs onto current residents. Third, public safety that stays responsive as the city grows.
Corcoran is farm families, new neighborhoods, seniors, renters and small business owners, and I want to hear from all of them. I encourage residents to come to Council meetings and be heard. I also knock doors, show up at neighborhood meetings, and work to get city information to every household in plain language before big decisions are made. If you contact me, you will get an answer.
I support a city campus, but residents tell me $50 million is more than a city our size needs, and they have a point. Big decisions belong to the people paying for them, which is why I pushed to mail every Corcoran household before the city committed. I will keep asking for the full tax impact of major projects in writing, press for time between public release of plans and Council votes, and explain my votes on the record.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
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.