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

Clearwater 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

    Kris Crandall
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Robert Preston
    (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 was born and raised in Clearwater—part of the last kindergarten class at our local school—and have served on the City Council since 2006 (except for two years). That lifetime connection and nearly two decades of municipal experience mean there is no learning curve on day one. I understand how our city functions, how to manage municipal budgets, and how to work effectively with regional and state partners. My focus is entirely on practical solutions: delivering critical infrastructure, supporting local businesses, and ensuring Clearwater grows responsibly while preserving our small-town character. I bring steady, proven leadership dedicated to serving our residents.
Fund the $9M roundabout at Hwy 24 and Hwy 75 to eliminate dangerous bottlenecks and keep drivers safe.

Extend municipal utilities along Hwy 75 to Long Haul Trucking, empowering business expansion and growing our commercial tax base to protect residential taxpayers.

Maintain fiscal discipline and responsible growth, ensuring city services remain dependable, roads are maintained, and public dollars are spent transparently.
I will lead an open-door administration focused on clear public communication. That means ensuring meeting packets, budgets, and project timelines are easily accessible online well before votes occur. I will hold regular open updates on major infrastructure projects so taxpayers see exactly where every dollar goes. By strictly upholding open meeting laws, encouraging respectful debate, and actively accounting for city decisions, I will keep our local government honest, open, and responsive.
Good governance starts with listening. I will host regular informal "Coffee with the Mayor" sessions and community forums ahead of major Council decisions, giving residents direct access to discuss issues. We will improve digital outreach through surveys and prompt social updates to keep working families informed. Most importantly, I will remain accessible—answering calls, meeting neighbors in town, and ensuring public input genuinely shapes our infrastructure and zoning choices.
I will prioritize a strong, cooperative partnership with the Wright County Sheriff’s Office to guarantee responsive coverage, active neighborhood patrols, and targeted traffic enforcement on corridors like Hwy 24. We must ensure our Clearwater Fire Department has the updated equipment, training, and staffing needed for fast emergency response. Public safety also means modern, safe roadways—advancing fixes like the Hwy 24/75 intersection to protect our drivers and pedestrians.
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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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