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

Detroit Lakes 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

    Shaun Carlson
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Lindsey Cooksey
    (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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If reelected, I'll continue to work hard for my neighbors, the residents of Ward 1. I work full time, I have a family and I've still made almost every council meeting, committee meeting, budget meeting, and planning commission meeting for the last 4 years. I'm working hard to make sure Detroit Lakes is a place where we can all live and work!

My qualifications start with the nearly 4 years I've been on the City Council and nearly 6 years on the Planning Commission and Chair since 2023. I have an undergraduate degree from NDSU and an MBA from the University of Mary. I was a volunteer firefighter, first responder, and EMT before moving to Detroit Lakes and I'm retired, after 25 years, from the North Dakota Air National Guard.
Invest in streets and utilities, especially in Ward 1. The 2028 Rossman-to-Washington project is the largest north side project in 20 years and I will ensure more are in the capital improvement plan.

Keep Taxes Manageable. The council must levy what's needed to operate the city and also remember that it's real money from our residents.

Simplify zoning ordinances. I pushed and we've simplified business zoning and cut parking requirements by 20% and there's more to do!
Plainly stated, I will listen to everyone. We are all voters, taxpayers, and citizens and we all deserve a voice. I won't promise I'll agree with everyone, but I will promise to ALWAYS listen, always respond, and always consider what you bring to me. Your requests to me have delivered a restroom to Lyle Crovisier Park and fixed potholes around Oak Grove Ave, Summit Ave, and Central Street. This is how we work together to represent our community and its needs!
What I promise to be is accessible and available. Email me and I'll respond. Call me and I'll answer or call you back. I want to have the conversation, hear what you have to say, and help you understand the decisions I'm making and why.

Government operations are designed to be transparent and open meeting laws exist to ensure that happens. You can see the history, watch the videos, and find out for yourself right on the city's website: https://cityofdetroitlakes.com/agendasminutes.
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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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