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.

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Voter Guide

Benton County Auditor/Treasurer

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

    Mary Lewandowski
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Christine Scherbing
    (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 is this office important to constituents, and provide details of any plans for improvement. (500 characters)

How would you manage the election process to ensure free, fair and safe elections? (500 characters)

How can the treasurer’s office maintain or improve transparency when working with taxpayer dollars? (500 characters)

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I have 5 years of municipality experience from the Sartell City Council, 15 years of direct customer service work which includes "Yes, We Can!" and "Smile and Say Hi!". I volunteered as the Treasurer for the Foley JO Volleyball Club for over 10 years. I have spent over 30 years in leadership roles that included managing large teams, financial management, skillful communication and compliance.

I am extremely dependable, resourceful, and respected as a humble leader.

My word matters and I successfully manage my time and efforts to achieve critical goals and deadlines. I owe no one.

My campaign tag line is "do better."

I promise to accomplish that if I am fortunate enough to get elected.

Beyond the initial focus of learning the workflow of the office, I would be focused on the following three priorities: 1. Improvement in the area of customer service in the physical office when working with Benton County residents. 2. Timely and appropriate communications with Benton County residents reaching out in person and through email and phone calls. 3. Diligent attention to fraud prevention measures.
This office has a customer facing service focus, which demands professional interactions, commitment to fairness and enhanced communication skills. My efforts would ensure improved communications internally and externally. I will be in the office, ready to roll my sleeves up and assist with superior customer service handling by being in the office every scheduled day and having a servant leader approach. I will serve in a way that prioritizes Benton County residents, Staff and Compliance.
I would endeavor to utilize The Benton County Herald as well as social media to provide transparent information related to the election process. I would share insights and confirm diligent compliance practices to help earn confidence from the Benton County residents. Additionally, I would be certain to respond to individuals emailing for information on the election process so that they are not left to make assumptions. I will prioritize timely training and development, staying proactive.
Admittedly, I am not aware of all of the tools in the Auditor-Treasurers office at this time. It is a high priority to learn what they are. I am aware of opportunities to take ownership of taxpayer inquiries and not pass the concern to others. Prioritize obtaining and sharing information even when it may not be positive. Take the initiative to do more and research concerns effectively. I will commit to treating Benton County taxpayers as I wish to be treatedmyself.
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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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