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.

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Voter Guide

Nisswa City Mayor

The mayor is usually the head of the city and may represent the city in front of other government bodies. They also can preside at council meetings and appoint city workers. A mayor usually has a role in proposing a city budget which influences services provided to residents and can veto ordinances proposed by the city council.Voting in local elections is important - learn more here: Why Vote for Mayor

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

    Jennifer Carnahan
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Andy Schaefer
    (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)

If elected, what strategies will you use to ensure transparency, accountability and ethical conduct in city government under your leadership? (500 characters)

How will you engage with residents to solicit feedback, involve them in decision-making processes, and ensure their voices are heard? (500 characters)

How will you approach public safety and community policing to ensure the well-being of all residents? (500 characters)

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I bring more than 25 years of leadership experience, including a career in marketing and strategy for Fortune 500 companies including General Mills, McDonald's Corporation and Ecolab, experience as a small business owner with two stores on Main Street in Nisswa, nearly two years as Nisswa's mayor, and five years leading a major political party. As mayor, I have focused on fiscal responsibility, including a decrease in the 2026 city tax levy, opposed a proposed local sales tax increase, expanded resident engagement, and worked to reduce unnecessary regulation. I bring strategy, management and leadership, with a commitment to keeping Nisswa a great place to live, work and visit.
My top three priorities are fiscal responsibility, responsible growth and transparency. I will continue working to keep taxes and spending under control while protecting essential services. I will support growth that strengthens Nisswa without sacrificing our small-town character, natural resources or property rights. And I will ensure residents have a voice in their city government and that government remains of the people, by the people and for the people.
Transparency and accountability require accessible government, open communication and following established laws and procedures. I will continue to advocate for regular town halls, resident listening sessions, equal access to information for residents and all council members, and clear communication about city decisions. I will also promote professional and ethical conduct and a government focused on residents—not politics, special interests or personal agendas.
Residents should not have to wait until Election Day to have their voices heard. I have made resident engagement a priority through regular town halls, community forums, neighborhood meetings and direct conversations with residents. I will continue creating opportunities for residents to share concerns and ideas before decisions are made, communicate clearly about city issues, and ensure residents—not special interests—remain at the center of Nisswa's future.
Public safety is one of the most important responsibilities of local government. I will continue supporting our police department, strong relationships between law enforcement and residents, and proactive community policing. I believe our officers should be visible, accessible and engaged in the community they serve. I will also prioritize fiscally responsible investments in roads, infrastructure and other services that improve safety and quality of life for Nisswa residents.
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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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