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.

Start Over

Voter Guide

St. Cloud City Council Member Ward 4 (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

    Amaan Abdi
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Joe Baratta
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Craig Heurung
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Zak X
    (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)

{_btnLabelFor(compare1, _isInSelection(compare1))}
{_btnLabelFor(compare2, _isInSelection(compare2))}
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Campaign Website http://www.joe4ward4.com
telephone 3202374591
Facebook (Full URL) http://www.facebook.com/share/1Bh4bdAshK/
Campaign Email joe4ward4@gmail.com
I'm a union leader, father, and husband who's fallen in love with my city. It's been my children's home forever and I am here to give it some desperately needed TLC. For decades our city's leadership kicked the can on regular investment and maintenance and it's high time someone fixes that.

We lack fully furnished parks all over our city. Our city is literally known for only red lights and potholes. I want to take my experience working with companies and politicians for my city.
Community. Our children need places to go. From a pool, community center, and/or more parks, we need to start chipping away at these projects to turn our great place to live into an amazing one.

Infrastructure. We can't safely get across town, period. From lobbying the state/fed to looking at each road project with the idea of not just maintenance, but improvement, I'm here for it

Budget. Last year's tax increases, while necessary, were uncomfortable. Working within the budget is paramount.
I'm already connected to many advocacy and outreach non profits throughout central Minnesota. I'm also an incredibly easy person to converse with. So that's the base. From public town halls, having dedicated times to answer my emails and calls from constituents, and just coming to people's homes and seeing how we can move forward together on the many issues I'll face. I'm here to be available to my city.
Similar to my previous answer, as well as promoting more civic engagement. Some current city council meetings have as few as 10 people going, we need more. Having diverse input at the microphone ensures all of our votes are for the benefit of the city
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Powered by League of Women Voters Education Fund

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.