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

Baxter 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.

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

    Douglas C. Francis
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Joe Mussell
    (NP)

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    Jeff Phillips
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Zach Tabatt
    (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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elect Elect 2
Facebook (Full URL) http://www.facebook.com/TabattforBaxter/
My eight years’ experience on the council has taught me a lot about the issues that affect the city. I want to continue the work we have started to open more development opportunities for housing and businesses while streamlining infrastructure. I support smart, efficient growth that benefits the whole city. I have broad experience in public safety, finance, nonprofits, and housing that allows me to bring multiple perspectives to the table to create real solutions. I know how business and government work and I will focus resources on the issues that will improve Baxter.
The State legislature is currently preventing a renewal of the local sales tax. We must renew it to avoid large property tax and water fee increases for infrastructure mandated by the State. We also need to upgrade our police facility so we can keep and recruit the best public safety professionals. Finally, we need to continue encouraging efficient growth with new businesses and homes to spread costs and improve the local economy.
As an elected official I have always been focused on what is best for the City of Baxter. That means I take a broad view to work towards goals that serve the entire community. This includes residents from all backgrounds, renters, homeowners, visitors, business owners, employees, and more. Our city is best when we consider a variety of perspectives before making decisions for the future. I make myself available as a city council member and will continue to do so.
I’m a believer in open meetings, local news, and government transparency. The most important thing any of us can do to keep local government transparent is to support local news outlets like local radio stations, the Brainerd Dispatch newspaper, and others. Open meeting laws are important but the public needs local, objective news sources to keep the information flowing and 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.