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.

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Voter Guide

Red Wing City Council Member Ward 3

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-councilWatch a candidate forum for this race recorded on October 1, 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

    Janet Hansmeier
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Liz Magill
    (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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My successful professional and volunteer experience has prepared me to serve with honesty, integrity, sound judgment and respect. During a 26-year career handling complex insurance claims and litigation, I learned to analyze facts, ask tough questions and resolve difficult issues fairly. My nonprofit leadership has taught me to manage limited resources, build partnerships and bring people together around a common purpose. I will listen, do my homework and make decisions based on facts, common sense and what best serves Red Wing residents.
My priorities are responsible stewardship, economic vitality and a safe, strong community. Residents consistently tell me they are concerned about taxes and city spending and want more businesses, jobs, shopping and dining opportunities. I will focus on essential services, seek efficiencies before asking taxpayers for more, support thoughtful economic development and ensure our streets, infrastructure, police, fire and other core services remain strong.
Good representation begins with listening. I will remain accessible, seek input beyond City Hall and listen respectfully to people whose experiences and viewpoints differ from my own. We will not always agree, and that is okay. I will approach every resident with respect, evaluate issues on their merits and work to ensure people have meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their neighborhoods and community.
I will ask questions, explain my decisions and expect clear information about how public dollars are spent. Residents should be able to understand what the City is considering, why decisions are made and what results are achieved. I will support accessible public information, meaningful opportunities for resident input and careful review of budgets and major projects. Accountability means setting clear goals, measuring results and being willing to change course when something is not working.
My family has lived in Red Wing over 26 years. My husband and I moved here with no children and raised our three children in Red Wing and all are Red Wing Public School graduates.

In 2019, with the founding of Hope and Harbor Homeless Shelter I was able to establish strong community connections with local businesses, non-profits, city department heads, City Council, Red Wing Fire and Red Wing Police, as well as over 300 volunteers per season. These connections deepened over the 5 1/2 years where I was the Executive Director and have provided me with valuable insight into the needs of our community.

In addition, I hold a degree in accounting and finance. I understand complex budgets and am able to make impactful financial decisions.
Housing working families can afford. Red Wing needs more entry-level housing options so young families can put down roots here.

Stronger Schools. Declining enrollment starts with a housing and affordability problem. Families need a place to live before they can raise kids here.

Letting seniors age in place. Seniors who've spent a lifetime in Red Wing shouldn't be priced out of staying here. I'll control spending so Red Wing is an affordable housing option for seniors.
The first step in representing everyone is knowing who I represent and establish commonality. Once commonality is established, organic relationship building follows.

I am engaged in our community through not only my professional work experiences but also the numerous places I volunteer: RW Pride, Habitat for Humanity, youth sport associations, RW Elks, RW Arts, St Joseph Church, AIPAC, & Hispanic Outreach. It is through my actions that I have established connections to all of us.

As evidenced by my greeting every possible member of Ward 3 while door knocking at every door in my ward, I have gained valuable insight into each resident that opened their door to me. I have laid the groundwork by knocking on every door to establish accountability through these face to face conversations.

Community members have expressed they don't know what is going on with local government. I will offer an email to Ward 3 residents summarizing each City Council meeting.

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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.

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.