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.

Winona County Commissioner District 2

County commissioners are the county s key policymakers. They oversee the administration of the county, set county budget, and participate in county long-range planning. County services that they oversee include a wide variety of social service and welfare programs, as well as certain public health programs. Learn more about the day in the life of a county commissioner in this video from the Association of Minnesota Counties. (https://www.mncounties.org/meetings_and_education/day_in_the_life_of_a_minnesota_county_commissioner.php)

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

    Patrick Moga
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Dwayne Voegeli
    (NP)

Biographical Information

If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (750 characters)

How would you balance safe and secure elections with voting access? (500 characters)

What do you see as the biggest challenges to mental health and social services in your county, and how would you address them? (500 characters)

What approach would you take to delivering county services while managing the cost of delivering those services? (500 characters)

What role, if any, do you think the county board plays in immigration enforcement? (500 characters)

How do you plan to interact with constituents to best understand the needs of the county? (500 characters)

Campaign Email PKLMoga@charter.net
I would bring financial knowledge to the Board by understanding the County’s budget and how it aligns with various funding sources. I would help ensure the County receives full reimbursement for the services it provides, recognizing that claims can be denied when documentation does not meet program requirements. I would also advocate for improved customer service. Customer service can always be strengthened, and for many clients, the County is their lifeline. Ensuring clients are treated with respect, compassion, and efficiency should remain a priority.
I will collaborate closely with the Auditor-Treasurer to ensure the office has the necessary space and security to run elections efficiently. The current space presents clear limitations. I intend to work proactively with the Auditor-Treasurer and the full board to find effective solutions. Our ultimate goal is to guarantee that Winona County elections remain safe, secure, and transparent.
The biggest challenge facing mental health services is funding that fails to keep pace with rising costs. We must ensure full reimbursement for services provided by streamlining claims, consistently reviewing and correcting denials, and promptly resubmitting claims. We must also work with legislators and policymakers to ensure reimbursement rates reflect the true cost of care. Sustainable rates are essential to maintaining access, quality, and providers’ ability to meet community needs.
Winona County must minimize service costs while maintaining high quality. Human Services consumes a large part of the budget, making maximized reimbursement for eligible services critical. Because reimbursement is complex, staff must fully understand billing codes and documentation. Providing countywide training will promote consistency, improve accuracy, and ensure the county secures all available funds. This reduces unnecessary costs while protecting resources for residents.
Jurisdiction over immigration enforcement rests solely with the federal government. To minimize unfunded mandates and protect local fiscal resources, the County should refrain from participating in immigration enforcement activities.
I would have an open-door policy. Any constituent or county employee would be welcome to contact me at any time to discuss matters that are important to them. This is the County’s budget, and I believe our constituents should have an active voice in how those funds are prioritized and allocated. Hearing from a broad range of individuals will provide valuable perspectives and help us develop a budget that is responsible, responsive, and beneficial to the entire community.

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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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