Candidate Forums - 2020

Candidate Forums - 2020

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The League of Women Voters Anoka, Blaine Coon Rapids sponsors non-partisan candidate forums in Anoka County and northern Hennepin County. Candidate Forums are held prior to elections to help voters obtain information about candidates' stands on issues.  Candidate Forums are filmed and aired on local cable television stations.  Most forums are also available on the LWV ABC YouTube channel with a closed captioning option.

LWV ABC posts complete, unedited recordings of forums. Editing is authorized only for official media reporting. Excerpts or edited clips of candidate forums may not be used for partisan, political purposes.

 

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2020 LWV ABC Candidate Forums    

In 2020, all Candidate Forums were filmed without a live audience to maintain physical distancing.  Members of the public submitted questions online prior  the forum.  The forum moderator asked a variety of questions from those submitted.  Find video of all LWV ABC 2020 Candidate Forums on the LWV ABC YouTube 2020 Candidate Forum Playlist.

PDF icon 2020 Candidates Forum Ground Rules

2020 City Offices | 2020 County Offices | 2020 State Offices | 2020 Primary | More 2020 Candidate Info 

City Offices - 2020 General Election

  • Andover City Council Members At-Large - 2020 General Election
      • Candidates: Ted Butler, Steven Fowlkes, Maribella McDermid, Randy Nelson, Joshua Pacheco and Mary C. VanderLaan.
      • Taped September 9, 2020. Produced by QCTV. 

      • Sponsors:  LWV ABC, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce and North Suburban Optimists Club 

  • Andover Mayor - 2020 General Election
      • Candidates: Sheri Bukkila, Richard Kulkey and Julie Trude.
      • Taped September 9, 2020.  Produced by QCTV.
      • Sponsors:  LWV ABC, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce and North Suburban Optimists Club
  • Columbia Heights Mayor - 2020 General Election
      • Candidates:  Amada Márquez Simula and Nick Novitsky
      • Taped September 30, 2020. Produced by City of Columbia Heights.
      • Sponsors:  LWV ABC, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce and North Suburban Optimists Club
  • Nowthen City Council At-Large - 2020 General Election 
      • Candidates: Jason Alders, Daniel Breyen, Mary Rainville and Rob Schiller
      • Taped September 17, 2020.   Produced by City of Nowthen.
      • Sponsors:  LWV ABC, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce and North Suburban Optimists Club
  • Nowthen Mayor - 2020 General Election 
      • Candidates:  Candidates: Matt Lendt and Jeff Pilon.
      • Taped September 17, 2020.  Produced by City of Nowthen.
      • Sponsors:  LWV ABC, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce and North Suburban Optimists Club
  • Ramsey Mayor - 2020 General Election
      • Mayor Candidates: Mark Kuzma and Michael Olson
      • Taped September 16, 2020.  Produced by QCTV.
      • Sponsors:  LWV ABC, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce and North Suburban Optimists Club

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Anoka County Offices - 2020 General Election

  • Anoka County Commissioner District 6 Forum - 2020 General Election 
      • Anoka County District 6 includes Blaine, Centerville, Circle Pines, Columbus, Lexington, Lino Lakes and Linwood Township.
      • Candidates: Cindy Hansen and Jeff Reinert 
      • Taped August 27, 2020. Produced by QCTV.  
      • Sponsors:  LWV ABC, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce and North Suburban Optimists Club

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Minnesota State Legislators - 2020 General Election

Find your legislative district by entering your address or view Legislative District Maps.

  • Minnesota Senate District 31 - 2020 General Election
      • Mn Senate District 31 includes part of Andover, Bethel, Columbus, East Bethel, Ham Lake, Linwood Township, Nowthen, Oakgrove, St. Francis in Anoka County and parts of Isanti County and Sherburne counties. 
      • Candidates:  Michelle Benson and Kate Luthner.
      • Taped September 23, 2020.   Produced by NorthMetroTV.
      • Sponsors:  Ham Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and LWV ABC 
  • Minnesota House District 31A  - 2020 General Election 
      • Mn House District 31A includes Nowthen, Oakgrove and St. Francis in Anoka County as well as parts of Isanti County and Sherburne counties. 
      • Candidate: Brad Brown. Candidate Kurt Daudt was invited but did not attend the forum.
      • Taped September 17, 2020.  Produced by City of Nowthen.
      • Sponsors:  LWV ABC, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce and North Suburban Optimists Club
  • Minnesota Senate District 35 - 2020 General Election  
      • Mn Senate District 35 includes Andover, Anoka, parts of Coon Rapids and Ramsey.
      • Candidates: Jim Abeler and David L. Nelson.
      • Taped August 20, 2020.  Produced by QCTV.
      • Sponsors:  LWV ABC, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce and North Suburban Optimists Club
  • Minnesota House District 35A - 2020 General Election
      • Mn House District 35A includes Ramsey and Anoka.
      • Candidates: Mike Erickson and John Heinrich
      • Taped August 20, 2020.  Produced by QCTV.
      • Sponsors:  LWV ABC, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce, North Suburban Optimists Club
  • Minnesota House District 35B - 2020 General Election
      • House District 35B includes Andover, Coon Rapids and Ramsey.
      • Candidates: Jason Ruffalo and Peggy Scott.
      • Taped September 9, 2020. Produced by QCTV.
      • Sponsors:  LWV ABC, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce and North Suburban Optimists Club
  • Minnesota Senate District 36 - 2020 General Election
      • Senate District 36 includes Champlin, part of Coon Rapids and Brooklyn Park.
      • Candidates: Karen Attia and John Hoffman. 
      • Taped September 2, 2020. Produced by QCTV.
      • Sponsors: Champlin Women of Today, LWV ABC, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce and North Suburban Optimists Club
  • Minnesota House District 36A - 2020 General Election
      • Senate District 36 includes Champlin and part of Coon Rapids.
      • Candidates: Bill Maresh and Zack Stephenson.
      • Taped September 2, 2020. Produced by QCTV.
      • Sponsors: Champlin Women of Today, LWV ABC, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce and North Suburban Optimists Club
      • Minnesota House District 37A includes Coon Rapids, Blaine and Spring Lake Park.
          • Minnesota House District 37A Candidate: Erin Koegel.  Ken Wendling did not attend.
          • Starts at minute 2:10
      • Minnesota House District 36B includes Coon Rapids and Brooklyn Park.
          • Minnesota House District 36B Candidate: Melissa Hortman.  Scott Simmons did not attend.
          • Starts at minute 17:00
      • Taped August 25, 2020. Produced by CTN Coon Rapids.
      • Sponsors: Coon Rapids Women of Today, LWV ABC, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce, North Suburban Optimists Club and Transformative Circle 
  • Minnesota Senate Districts 36 and 40 and House Districts 36B, 40A and 40B - 2020 General Election
      • All candidates were invited.  Candidates who participated are:
          • John Hoffman and Chris Eaton candidates for Senate District 36 - Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Coon Rapids
          • Scott Simmons and Melissa Hortman candidates for House District 36B - northern Brooklyn Park and Coon Rapids
          • Chris Eaton candidate for Senate District 40 - Brooklyn Park
          • Michael Nelson candidate for House District 40A - southern Brooklyn Park
          • Mary O'Connor candidate for House District 40B - Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center
        • Sponsors:  LWV of Brooklyn Park, Osseo, Maple Grove and the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
        • Taped Sep 30, 2020.  Produced by CCX Media Community News
  • Minnesota Senate District 37 - 2020 General Election 
        • District 37 includes Blaine, part of Coon Rapids and Spring Lake Park
        • Candidates: Jerry Newton and Brad Sanford 
        • Sponsors: LWV ABC, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce and North Suburban Optimists Club 
        • Taped October 8, 2020.  Produced by NorthMetroTV.
  • Minnesota House District 37B - 2020 General Election 
      • District 37B includes Blaine.
      • Candidates: Amir Joseph Malik and Nolan West.
      • Taped September 2, 2020.  Produced by NorthMetroTV.
      • Sponsors: LWV ABC, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce and North Suburban Optimists Club
  • Minnesota Senate District 41 - 2020 General Election 
      • District 41 includes Columbia Heights, Fridley, Hilltop, New Brighton, Saint Anthony Village and part of Spring Lake Park
      • Candidates: Mary Kunesh-Podein and Lucia Marina Vogel. 
      • Taped September 15, 2020.  Produced by FridleyMunicipalTV.
      • Sponsors:  LWV ABC, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce and North Suburban Optimists Club 
  •  Minnesota House District 41B - 2020 General Election 
      • District 41B includes Columbia Heights, New Brighton and St. Anthony Village.
      • Candidates:  Sandra Feist and Ronald Ray Vogel. 
      • Taped September 10, 2020.  Produced by the City of Columbia Heights.
      • Sponsors:  LWV ABC, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce and North Suburban Optimists Club
  • Minnesota Senate District 41 and Minnesota House Districts 41A and 41B
      • Candidates participating:  Connie Bernardy, Sandra Feist, Mary Kunesh-Podein, Lucia Marina Vogel and Ronald Ray Vogel.  Susan A. Erickson, candidate for 41A, did not attend.
      • Sponsored by LWV New Brighton.
      • Taped Sep 14, 2020.  Produced by CTV North Suburban.
      • Note:  Not on YouTube, no closed captioning available.

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2020 Primary Election  

  • Coon Rapids City Council - 2020 Primary Election
      • 80 minutes; Taped June 25, 2020; Produced by CTN Coon Rapids.
  • US 5th Congressional District - 2020 DFL Primary Debate 
      • 63 minutes; Taped July 20, 2020; Sponsored by Mpls and West Metro area LWVs; Produced by CCX Media.
      • Participants Les Lester, Daniel Patrick McCarthy and Antone Melton-Meaux.  John Mason was ill. Incumbent Ihlan Omar unable to participate as called back into session, video statement submitted.
          • Note: US Congressional District 5 Republican Primary Debate was cancelled as only one candidate responded.

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More Candidate Information 

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