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

St. Cloud City Council Member Ward 1 (Special Election)

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

    Charlie Hobbs
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Dave Masters
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Dreyton Nichols
    (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 Website http://charliehobbsforstcloud.org
telephone 3202048680
Campaign Email charliehobbsforstcloud@gmail.com
As a dedicated father, former philosophy professor, and a St. Cloud Planning Commissioner, I offer a unique combination of analytical leadership and concrete civic experience. I live in the Lake George neighborhood, and I know our community’s daily triumphs and struggles firsthand. My service on the Planning Commission has given me a deep understanding of zoning, city infrastructure, and sustainable development. I do not simply talk about municipal policy; I actively help transform it. My professional background has taught me to ask critical questions, weigh complex evidence, and seek balanced solutions. I am ready to bring this collaborative, objective, and deeply rooted approach to serve everyone.
My top three priorities are expanding attainable housing, enhancing public safety, and revitalizing downtown. Housing stability is the foundation of a thriving community, and we must create more affordable options for working families. Public safety requires proactive, community-oriented solutions that keep all residents secure. Finally, vibrant local economies drive overall city success; transforming downtown into an inclusive hub for business and culture shall help secure St. Cloud's future.
Representation requires active listening and presence. Being legally blind gives me a unique perspective on accessibility and inclusion, driving me to ensure no voice is left out. I will hold regular accessible listening sessions. I shall advocate for materials in multiple languages and collaborate directly with local cultural, faith, and community leaders. My goal is a city government that builds policy collectively with all residents.
I will work to make city data, budgets, and decision-making processes transparent and accessible to everybody. We need a community friendly digital dashboard through which residents can track tax spending and project timelines. I shall help ensure all council study sessions and planning meetings are easy to access and review. Government works best when it is open to scrutiny, and I am committed to maintaining regular, public office hours to remain answerable to the people of Ward 1.
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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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