The fall election is here. With Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 5, polls open at Hastings at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. Hours for in person absentee voting prior to Election Day are Monday thru …
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The fall election is here.
With Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 5, polls open at Hastings at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. Hours for in person absentee voting prior to Election Day are Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Early voting in person also remains open through Nov. 4, with the following times for City Hall.
Saturday, October 26th: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 29th: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 2nd: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 3rd: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Monday, November 4th: 8:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Those voting on Election Day or prior must show ID or have proof of residence if unregistered. Residents may find their polling place on the Minnesota Secretary of State website Poll Finder at https://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us
For those headed to the polls this year, many candidates are on the ballot.
Starting with the City of Hastings, several council races are in view. DawnMarie Vihrachoff is running uncontested in Ward 1, while Ward 2 has a contest between Mya Beck and Wendi Shilt-Johnson. Lisa A. Leifeld is running uncontested for Ward 3, and Tim Lawrence is running uncontested for Ward 4.
In Hampton, John Knetter is running uncontested for mayor while Jerry L Huddleston and Nick Russell are running for council member, there being two open seats.
In Vermillion, Brian Mann is running uncontested for mayor.
In county level races, Hastings residents will have a choice for Dakota County District 1 Soil and Water Supervisor. Contending this year for the non-partisan office are Mark Vaughan and Kevin Chamberlain. Both candidates were given the opportunity to respond. Chamberlain did not respond. Mark Vaughan’s responses are below.
In state level races, meanwhile, two House races emerge locally: that for Seat 41B and that for 58B. Seat 41B embraces Hastings and part of Cottage Grove, while seat 58B embraces an area to the south and west of Hastings.
Running for Seat 41B are Jen Fox (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) and Tom Dippel (Republican), while for Seat 58B the candidates are Drew Roach (Republican) and Ian English (Democratic-Farmer-Labor).
Questionnaires for Seat 58B are below, with 41B running last week (see them at hastingsjournal.news).
As for federal offices, Donald J. Trump and J.D. Vance (Republican) are facing off with Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) for the Presidency, a host of third party candidates on the ballot as well.
Running for U.S. House District 2 are Angie Craig (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Joe Teirab (Republican), and Thomas William Bowman (Constitutional Conservative).
The race for U.S. Senate is split four ways: Royce White (Republican), Amy Klobuchar (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Rebecca Whiting (Libertarian), and Joyce Lynne Lacey (Independence-Alliance).
Also on the ballot this year are several judgeships and a ballot question related to amending the state constitution, as follows:
Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Renewal
Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to protect drinking water sources and the water quality of lakes, rivers, and streams; conserve wildlife habitat and natural areas; improve air quality; and expand access to parks and trails by extending the transfer of proceeds from the state-operated lottery to the environment and natural resources trust fund, and to dedicate the proceeds for these purposes?
Voters may choose ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ with non-response counting the same as a ‘no.’
As for candidate questionnaire responses, they are below.
Minnesota House District 58B
Running in Minnesota House District 58B are Ian English and Drew Roach. English is an Emergency Room Nurse who grew up in San Diego before moving to Minnesota in 2009. He has attended Eden Prairie High School, Mankato State University, and currently lives in Farmington with his family
As for Roach, he is a 39 year old small business owner and operator, as well as a resident of Farmington along with future wife Sarah and three children. English and Roach each shared questionnaire responses with the Journal.
Name: Ian English
Age: 30
Occupation: Emergency Room Nurse
Office sought: State Representative 58B
Prior elected office(s): None
Hometown/family: I grew up in San Diego, and my family moved to Minnesota in 2009. I attended Eden Prairie High School, then Mankato State University. I have lived in Farmington with my family for the last four years.
What drives you to seek office in this election cycle? What is the biggest problem you want to address while in office? I am running for this office because I am frustrated with how extreme the rhetoric from both sides has become. There is too much division in our politics, and the work that really matters in the community is not getting addressed. We need folks at the Capitol willing to work together again, to solve problems that impact all of us. The two biggest issues I want to address are supporting and funding our public safety services (police, fire, EMS), and addressing healthcare affordability and access, especially in rural Minnesota.
What is/are the role(s) of an elected official with regard to their constituents? For instance, do you lean more towards a delegate view, a trusteeship view, or both? Can you give examples of this in action? The role of legislator is to act in the interests of the district they represent. This means regularly seeking input from voters and stakeholders who would be impacted by legislation and being easily accessible to residents. For example, I think it is extremely valuable for legislators to regularly hold town halls to hear the needs and opinions of their residents. Representatives do exactly that: represent. They are not in office to act on their own beliefs and opinions, but to represent the district as a whole.
What do you bring to the table in terms of both background and experience, and how would you prioritize different needs, made into a list? How would different needs and goals be addressed or achieved? My background is in military law enforcement, public safety, and healthcare. I bring experience and expertise in the fields of public safety and healthcare, as well as a long track record of working with diverse teams to solve problems. I believe the priority needs for the state are the areas that really impact quality of life: our public safety services, healthcare, utilities, and transportation corridors. There are many issues besides these that are also incredibly important, so it is essential that legislators seriously weigh and review the impact of the policies they pass. For example: Who will this help or hurt? Does this impact the delivery of essential services? What is the cost burden of these policies on businesses and consumers? While the government and regulators often make policy with good intentions, we need to reassess the effects of policy downstream. Good intentions don't make much of a difference to residents when bad policies negatively impact their lives and livelihoods.
What else should people know before casting their ballot? I hope that voters take the time to review both candidates: our backgrounds, our experience, our positions on issues. I ask and hope that voters will make the decision based on who they believe is the best candidate for the job. Our politics has become too focused on labels and conflict: Democrats vs. Republicans, rather than finding those who are seriously looking to solve the problems in our communities. I intend to be a voice for the district that brings a serious, measured approach to the legislature. I am here to represent you, and to do my best to make life better in our community.
Name: Drew Roach
Age: 39
Occupation: Small business owner/operator
Office sought: State Representative- House District 58B
Hometown/family: Farmington; Future wife Sara and 3 children
What drives you to seek office in this election cycle? We need balance and accountability back in the legislature. Additionally, we need less career politicians and more citizen representation at the Capitol.
What is the biggest problem you want to address while in office? Overtaxation and overregulation by the state government.
What is/are the role(s) of an elected official with regard to their constituents? For instance, do you lean more towards a delegate view, a trusteeship view, or both? Can you give examples of this in action? Delegate view. The role of Representative is to represent constituents and give them a voice at the Capitol.
What do you bring to the table in terms of both background and experience, and how would you prioritize different needs, made into a list? How would different needs and goals be addressed or achieved? My background as a business owner gives me first hand experience of the overtaxation and overregulation by the state government which makes it more difficult to achieve economic prosperity. As a parent I have seen the overuse of state level mandates which has lead to a decline in literacy rates as well as enrollment putting increased burden on taxpayers. As a resident I have seen the negative impacts of lack of support for public safety which has lead to a shortage in officers.
What else should people know before casting their ballot? This district deserves citizen representation from someone who is just like you. I am not a career politician representing special interest groups. I am a blue collar, owner/operator of a small business who wants House District 58B to be the best place to live, work, and play!
Dakota County District 1 Soil and Water Commissioner
Also on the ballot this year is Dakota County District 1 Soil and Water Commissioner. The office has two candidates, Mark Vaughan and Kevin Chamberlain. Vaughan’s responses are below. Chamberlain did not respond to a questionnaire sent by the Journal.
Name – Mark Vaughan
Age- 55
Occupation- Facility Superintendent for the City of Eagan Parks and Recreation
Office Sought- Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation Board in District 1
Prior Elected Office(s)- Hastings City Council 2014-2022
Are you from the area originally- Yes, I was raised in the Hastings Area and currently reside in Hastings.
What about family? I am married to Beth, and we have three adult daughters - Mary, Martha, and Molly
Just what drives you to seek office in this election cycle?
The Soil and Water Conservation Board plays a crucial, yet often overlooked, role in environmental stewardship. As a recent Star Tribune article pointed out, the district tends to operate under the radar, but I believe that must change for the sake of our community and its future.
Having served 8 years on the Hastings City Council, I’ve experienced firsthand that real progress and results happen through collaboration, and I believe the district must build stronger relationships with officials at all levels—federal, state, county, and even township boards—to effectively manage our resources. While development is important, it also must be balanced with the protection of our soil and water resources to ensure long-term sustainability.
Reflecting on my time on the council, I was surprised by the lack of communication and collaboration between the city and other bodies like the soil and water conservation board. This communication gap is a missed opportunity, and I want to change that by fostering open dialogue and cooperation between all levels of government. Effective environmental stewardship requires more than just policies—it requires partnerships, coordination, and a shared vision for protecting our natural resources. I am passionate about improving the quality of life in our community, and I want to bring that same dedication to ensuring the Soil and Water Conservation District leads the way in safeguarding our resources through smart, well-considered policies and stronger collaboration with other policymakers.
What does a soil and water supervisor do? What is the biggest problem you want to address while in office?
The role of a Soil and Water Supervisor is to work to protect and manage natural resources by promoting sustainable practices within the community. This involves collaborating with landowners and local agencies to implement conservation programs, raising public awareness about soil and water issues, and securing grants to fund local initiatives. Supervisors also provide input on policies and regulations that impact resource management, ensuring that conservation efforts align with both environmental needs and community interests. Overall, they serve as local stewards dedicated to safeguarding our soil and water for future generations.
One of the most pressing issues facing the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation is protecting our drinking water which has been impacted by historic practices. Safeguarding our waterways and land is key to continuing our conservation mission. Rather than focusing solely on problems, I see this as an opportunity for the board to set policies that promote sustainable development and educate residents on best practices.
What is/are the role(s) of an elected official with regard to their constituents? For instance, do you lean more towards a delegate view, a trusteeship view, or both? Can you give examples of this in action?
As an elected official, my primary role is to represent and serve the needs of my constituents by ensuring their voices are heard in the decision-making process. This involves advocating for policies that promote the sustainable use and protection of our natural resources, addressing community concerns, and helping to solve problems related to soil and water conservation. I also believe in being a transparent leader who actively engages the public, listens to diverse perspectives, and works collaboratively to protect the environment while balancing the interests of both current and future generations.
I believe in a balanced approach that incorporates both the delegate and trusteeship views. As a delegate, I see it as my duty to listen closely to my constituents and reflect on their preferences in decisions that directly affect their lives. However, I also recognize the importance of the trusteeship view, where my responsibility is to use my knowledge, experience, and judgment to make informed decisions that will benefit the community in the long run, especially when addressing complex environmental issues that require a forward-thinking perspective. Balancing both views allows for effective representation and leadership.
What do you bring to the table in terms of both background and experience and how would you prioritize different needs, made into a list? How would different needs and goals be addressed or achieved?
With over 20 years of civic involvement in Hastings, I bring a wealth of experience and leadership to the Soil and Water Conservation Board. I’ve had the honor of chairing the Planning Commission, Charter Commission, and Parks and Recreation Commission, as well as serving on the Economic Development Authority. Additionally, my 8 years as an At-Large City Council member allowed me to develop a broad understanding of the community’s needs and the importance of strategic planning. These roles have equipped me with the knowledge and skills required to represent the residents of District One effectively and to address the diverse soil and water needs of our community with a balanced, thoughtful approach.
My goal is to foster a cooperative environment where policymakers, community members, and other stakeholders work together to implement reasonable yet effective policies that protect our soil and water resources for generations to come. Through education, open dialogue, and balanced decision-making, I’m confident we can make real progress in protecting our environment while supporting the growth and well-being of our community.