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.

Rochester City Council Member District 1

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.Watch a candidate forum for this race recorded on September 30, 2026.

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 Keane
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Lisa Ross
    (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)

Campaign Website http://www.keaneforward1.com
Campaign Email keaneforward1@gmail.com
As a grandparent, husband and father, I think my values and priorities align well with my neighbors in Ward 1. Like them, I want to live in a community that is safe, well managed, and provides fair, sustainable economic opportunities for everyone. It has been a great honor to serve our community as the Ward 1 representative on the City Council, and I hope to continue this work to help build an even stronger Rochester.
1. Responsive City Hall - I will advocate for residents who are impacted by local government actions: 2. Efficient Local Government - Transparent Budgeting where community priorities are funded, and local voices are respected. 3.Housing For All - Every resident deserves a home they can afford. I will work to expand housing options necessary for our growing economy.
My dedication to the community along with my technical and managerial skills make me the best candidate to represent Ward 1. I bring creative problem solving skills to address problems young families are facing, and I have the energy and the empathy to represent our growing seniors and their unique demands on our City.
I commit to being responsive to any and all requests from residents who feel our City's priorities and spending are not aligned with the community. Disagreements are expected in many community decisions, but no one should feel that their City is operating in bad faith.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.

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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