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.
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Voter Guide

Moorhead City Council Member Ward 2

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 September 24, 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

    Heather Nesemeier
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Ryan Schatz
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Chris Snyder
    (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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As your current Ward 2 City Council member, I have had the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of constituents: neighbors, small business owners, non-profit directors, cultural leaders, and more. These interactions have motivated me to be on the ballot in November to continue to serve, learn, and grow together. My experience as a leader and advocate with various community, civic, and labor organizations have helped me build valuable connections that I have been able to bring to my work on City Council, giving me a broad perspective when facing challenging decisions. I am invested in Moorhead. I care about the future of this community and I feel that I can continue to make a positive impact as a member of City Council.
My top 3 priorities are: 1. Continued community engagement for smart growth and development throughout our city, including affordable housing & small businesses, is essential and timely. 2. Maintaining & improving infrastructure while creating more opportunities to get outside, build community, and walk & bike safely around our city for a stronger community. 3. Supporting our community with a focus on best practices and resilience based policies for a healthier population and environment.
I believe I can best serve all residents of our diverse Moorhead by showing up, getting to know folks, asking questions, listening, and learning. Each and every resident has the right to engage with our city government and I strive to help folks to find their place and their voice, to have their experiences heard, and to impact our local government. For residents interested in more active governmental engagement, I’m always looking for new voices to appoint to local boards & commissions.
Our city government works best when it is transparent about all goings on in the city including, but not limited to meetings, hearings, policies, ordinances, surveys, and plans. I have and will continue to hold myself and our city government accountable for public records, the complete city budget, meeting materials and management, compliance, and more. Honesty, transparency, accountability, and communication are core values I hold dear.
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Moorhead is my home. I grew up here, graduated from Moorhead High School and Concordia College, built my legal career here, and am raising my family here.

As an attorney, I spend every day listening to people, evaluating complicated issues, and making decisions where the details matter. I would bring that same preparation and practical judgment to the City Council.

My priorities are managing major city investments responsibly, supporting housing and business development, and strengthening neighborhoods and essential city services. I believe Moorhead needs thoughtful leadership that supports continued growth while ensuring residents receive good value for their tax dollars.
1) Manage major city investments responsibly. Ensure projects are completed successfully and plan for their long-term operation and maintenance.

2) Support responsible growth. Encourage housing and business development while ensuring infrastructure and services keep pace.

3) Strengthen neighborhoods and city services. Maintain safe neighborhoods, quality streets, parks, and responsive services so residents receive good value for their tax dollars.
I believe every resident deserves to be heard and treated with respect, regardless of background or viewpoint. As an attorney, listening to people and understanding different perspectives is central to my work. I will remain accessible, welcome public input, communicate clearly, and consider how city decisions affect residents across Moorhead. My responsibility is to represent the entire community, not just those who agree with me.
Residents should be able to understand what city government is doing and why. I will support clear communication, accessible public information, and opportunities for residents to provide input before major decisions are made. I believe the Council should explain the costs, alternatives, and reasoning behind its decisions, including the long-term financial impact. Accountability means asking questions, evaluating results, and ensuring residents receive good value for their tax dollars.
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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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