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

Backus 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

    David Pederson
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Casey Wolkenhauer
    (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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Campaign Email dlpederson1956@gmail.com
I would like to help improve Backus as a growing community. Prior to moving back to Minnesota I served in the U.S. Air Force & U.S. Navy for over 20 years. While in Minnesota and prior to running for city council I have volunteered for over the last 5 years at the Backus Senior Center, and the Thursday evening free meals at the Center as well. I also assisted also with the distribution of goods from Second Harvest to hundreds of local residents which allows all of us volunteers opportunities to meet and talk with numerous locals. I feel I will be able to work with the other members of the council and look forward to the challenge of making our community a great place to live.
1. Updating the public access to Pine Mountain Lake and also improve the park and the beach area. 2. I would like to work with our surrounding cities for ideas of how to add a music venue, or start a Winter Fishing tournament to go along with our current yearly activities. 3. I would like to work on activities for the youth in Backus, like fixing the Tennis courts, and using existing property for a Basketball court. I will also ask the community if they have ideas for our local youth activities
With my 20 plus years of experience in the military I have developed the ability to work with and manage many diverse groups. I will listen to community desires and see if we can integrate their requests to better our community.
Be open and honest with discussions I have with residents and encourage them to attend city council meetings. Ensure all funding is reported at our monthly meetings and is posted on all city bulletin boards and other facilities that are available to post information for the public.
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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.