Water, affordability and the ability to work across party lines dominated the discussion Sept. 30 as four candidates seeking to represent Hastings in the Minnesota Legislature met before a full room at Hastings City Hall.
The 2026 Hastings Candidate Forum brought together Republican William Beck and DFL candidate Jen Fox in the race for Minnesota House District 41B, followed by DFL Sen. Judy Seeberger and Republican Rep. Tom Dippel in the contest for Minnesota Senate District 41. The forum was presented by the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce, Hastings AAUW and Hastings Community TV.
Alexis Huss moderated the event, which was broadcast live by Hastings Community TV and recorded for later viewing. Candidates were given one minute for introductions, one minute for each response and one minute for closing statements. Questions were not provided in advance, and Huss reminded the audience at the start that the event was intended to be a forum, not a debate.
That distinction held fairly well during the House portion of the evening, where Fox and Beck found some common ground even as they described different approaches to taxes, education and the role of state government. The temperature rose during the Senate forum, where Seeberger and Dippel challenged each other's legislative records and offered sharply different assessments of what has happened at the Capitol.
One subject, however, cut through nearly everything else discussed during the night, water.
Both races repeatedly returned to Hastings' need for state help paying for treatment of PFAS contamination, and each candidate made clean water part of the case for why voters should send them to St. Paul.
Beck opened the House District 41B forum by describing himself as a husband, father of two and first-time candidate who wants to focus on affordability, government accountability, education and clean water. "I'm running to make Minnesota affordable," Beck said. "I want to make the fraudsters accountable for what they've done, and of course, I want to make sure our schools are excellent academics, and we need clean water for Hastings. That's going to be a top priority for me."
Fox, a lifelong Hastings resident who has served on the Hastings City Council, worked for the state and now owns a small business, said she believes residents are looking for leadership that can combine safe communities, lower costs and responsible government. "What we're hearing is that people are craving strong and elective and effective leadership, a leader who will prioritize safe and strong communities, and work to lower costs and have a very responsible government," Fox said.
Asked what motivated them to seek legislative office, Fox framed her decision around community service and her connection to Hastings. "As a person raised in Hastings, I was raised to show up for my neighbors," Fox said. She said she wanted her nieces and nephews to someday know that during difficult political times, she tried to show up for her community and bring hope to residents.
Beck said his decision was shaped in part by his family and particularly his son, Teddy, who has Down syndrome and could someday rely on Medicaid-funded programs. "He may one day rely on the Medicaid-funded programs that have been defrauded," Beck said. "I want to protect those programs. I want to be sure that the people who need them actually get them." He also identified clean water, schools and lower taxes as priorities.
When Huss asked what they considered the biggest challenge facing Hastings and surrounding communities, both quickly returned to affordability and water. "We know that we need clean drinking water here in Hastings," Beck said. He said insufficient outside funding for the city's water treatment needs could contribute to continued increases in water bills and property taxes, adding that rising property taxes are putting pressure on homeowners.
Fox agreed that water is among the district's biggest challenges, but widened the affordability discussion to groceries, gasoline, child care and the cost of operating a small business. As the owner of a brewery, Fox said she sees the impact of rising water rates directly. "Absolutely, water is certainly our biggest challenge in affordability," Fox said. "But what I'm hearing is that our neighbors are struggling to buy gas, they're struggling to buy groceries, and they're struggling to buy clean water."
Fox said she would focus on lowering costs, strengthening the economy and helping residents understand how their tax dollars are being used. She argued that families should not be forced to make difficult choices between basic needs while large businesses carry a comparatively smaller tax burden.
The House candidates were also asked how they would work with members of the opposite political party. Fox said ideas should be judged on their merits rather than their political origin. "Any person of any political belief can have a good idea," Fox said. "Any person of any political belief can have a bad idea." She said legislators should build relationships and coalitions and put the needs of residents ahead of party loyalty.
Beck drew on his experience as a former teacher, comparing legislative disagreement to managing conflict in a classroom. Arguing or escalating a confrontation, he said, rarely solves the problem. "What you do is you listen and you try to find practical solutions," Beck said. He said he holds strong convictions but would listen to opposing views and work across the aisle on issues where lawmakers can find agreement, including clean water.
The candidates also discussed education and career training after high school. Beck, who said he has a four-year degree and is working toward a master's degree and additional certifications, argued that the traditional four-year college path should not be treated as the only route to a successful career. He pointed to visits he made to union training centers during the campaign and said students should have more opportunities to enter the skilled trades.
"I don't think we need to be encouraging everybody to get four-year degrees," Beck said. He said the training he saw during visits to union halls demonstrated the value of careers that rely on hands-on skills and are less likely to be replaced by emerging technology.
Fox said the state should support public education while expanding pathways into trades and careers. She referred to her previous work at the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and pointed to local pathway programs connecting Hastings students with career opportunities. Fox said she would not divert money from public education to accomplish that goal, but would support teachers and programs that expose students to different career options.
The final House question focused on a concern that had already surfaced throughout the forum, the rising cost of living and doing business. Fox said Minnesota residents and small businesses should receive greater value from the taxes they pay and argued that the tax structure should put more responsibility on the wealthiest individuals and largest businesses.
"Minnesotans should get more value from what they pay in taxes," Fox said. She also cited the child tax credit as an example of a program that helps working families and said she would support policies aimed at reducing the burden on middle-income Minnesotans and small businesses.
Beck called affordability a nationwide problem but said state government has tools available to reduce costs in Minnesota. He cited health care, child care, housing and taxes among the pressures facing families and said he would support broader tax reductions. "We need to cut taxes," Beck said. "We need to cap property taxes. We need to cap car tab fees, and we need to once and for all get rid of the tax on social security benefits."
In her closing remarks, Fox said she wants to use her experience in Hastings, state government and business to advocate for families, businesses, public schools, the river and clean water. "I want to protect what makes this district special while building its future," Fox said. "I want to make 41B the district that everyone wants to raise a family in."
Beck closed by again emphasizing his status as a political newcomer. He said he would favor serving only a limited number of terms because bringing new perspectives into government is important. He returned to affordability, government accountability, schools and cooperation across party lines. "I'm willing to work across the aisle to accomplish these priorities," Beck said.
After a brief reset, the forum moved to Minnesota Senate District 41, where the exchanges between Seeberger and Dippel were considerably more pointed.
Seeberger, who has represented District 41 in the Senate for four years, opened by highlighting her work on PFAS legislation and efforts to secure state funding for Hastings. She said working across the aisle has been an important part of her approach. "I know I represent the people, not the party, and I represent everyone in my district, whether they voted for me or not," Seeberger said.
Dippel, who currently serves in the Minnesota House, described himself as a lifelong resident of the area and pointed to clean water and affordability as central priorities. He said he had committed to finding state money for Hastings' water infrastructure and would continue pursuing additional support if elected to the Senate. "We've seen taxes skyrocket on property, our car tab fees all down the line," Dippel said. "So if I have the privilege, I'd love to go back to the capital and serve the district."
Asked to identify an area where state government is not doing enough, Dippel pointed to accountability over taxpayer money. He criticized state spending and tax increases and said residents have told him they believe the Legislature has not done enough to account for fraud in government programs. "They're looking for accountability," Dippel said. "They're looking for solutions, bipartisan solutions."
Seeberger also identified affordability and oversight as concerns, but said one of the state's larger problems is partisan division at the Capitol. "What I continue to see at the Capitol is the inability of both sides to work together," Seeberger said. She argued that lawmakers need to build relationships across party lines before difficult issues reach the floor because trust makes it easier to find agreement when stakes are high.
The exchange then became more direct. Seeberger accused Dippel of being unwilling to work with her on Hastings legislation and said he had not signed onto legislation she pursued for Hastings bonding funds. "My opponent and I have represented the same part of this district in the same communities for the last two years," Seeberger said. "He won't even give me his phone number."
Dippel responded when his turn came on the following question, rejecting Seeberger's characterization. He said that when Hastings Mayor Mary Fasbender asked whether he would sit down with Seeberger to discuss PFAS, he agreed to do so. "I have never stonewalled my opponent," Dippel said. "I think it's a baseless attack, and it's unfortunate."
The candidates were then asked to identify an issue where they had taken, or expected they might take, a position unpopular within their own political party. Seeberger pointed to efforts to modify state workplace policies after hearing concerns from businesses. She said she faced strong resistance within her party while pursuing changes to earned sick and safe time requirements, but believes legislators must be willing to challenge their own side when policies are not working as intended.
"It can be difficult to push back, but it's worth it in the end," Seeberger said. She said she would continue supporting changes that help workers, employers, businesses and nonprofit organizations even if doing so creates disagreement within her own caucus.
Dippel cited a vote in which he said he sided with nearly every member across the aisle, along with one other Republican, against legislation that would have provided money benefiting a wealthy business owner. "I didn't think the taxpayers should have to foot part of that bill, so I voted against that," Dippel said.
The affordability question produced another stark contrast. Dippel attacked Seeberger's record on car tab fees, gas taxes and state mandates, arguing that state policies have contributed to increasing costs for residents, counties and school districts. "People are seeing costs rise everywhere," Dippel said. He argued that state spending and tax increases had not been prioritized correctly and said residents are now seeing the consequences through higher costs and property taxes.
Seeberger responded by pointing to her work on reducing the state income tax on Social Security benefits for many Minnesotans, saying she would support eliminating the tax entirely. She also said she wants to explore further property tax relief for seniors.
"I hear from our seniors how unaffordable life is, how they've worked their whole life to afford their house, they've got it paid off," Seeberger said. "Their kids are grown and out on their own, and now they're getting priced out of their homes." Seeberger said she would like to see additional relief that would help seniors remain in their homes.
Both Senate candidates said they would remain available to constituents despite the demands of serving in the Legislature. Seeberger pointed to legislation that she said originated from conversations with district residents, including work related to fentanyl and abandoned boats.
She described working with constituents to increase penalties for selling fentanyl and allow schools to permit students to carry Narcan. She also described working across the Minnesota-Wisconsin border after a constituent raised concerns about an abandoned boat polluting the St. Croix River. "These are the kind of partnerships that really bring ideas to me," Seeberger said.
Dippel said he has made himself available by phone, email and text and meets with residents wherever necessary. "I've always been accessible, and I meet constituents where they ask to meet," Dippel said. He then returned to affordability, advocating for a cap on car tab fees and repeal of state tax increases he believes have contributed to higher costs.
The most locally focused question of the Senate forum came when Huss asked what responsibility the state has when communities such as Hastings face tens of millions of dollars in costs to meet federal drinking-water regulations.
Both candidates immediately pointed to their work securing money for Hastings. Dippel said he has looked for different state funding sources and intends to continue doing so. "We got 17 and a half million dollars passed for clean water," Dippel said. "That's something that I'll commit to and continue to do for Hastings."
Seeberger said state government has a responsibility to help communities pay for infrastructure costs that would be difficult to carry locally. She described repeatedly pressing Senate Capital Investment Committee Chair Sandy Pappas to remember Hastings' funding needs.
"I'd put a little post-it note on her desk that says Hastings, and she would have all these little Hastings post-it notes to keep it front of mind that this is a priority," Seeberger said. She said she had previously pursued Hastings funding through bonding packages and worked to secure additional funding sources, including money connected to contamination programs and the 3M settlement.
For Hastings residents watching the forum, the exchange underscored one area where the candidates' political disagreements did not change the basic message. Whoever represents the district in St. Paul will be expected to keep looking for money to reduce the local burden of treating contaminated drinking water.
The final Senate question addressed Minnesota's paid family and medical leave program and whether the candidates would support changes. Seeberger said she supports the principle behind paid leave, but has tried in several legislative sessions to make changes to the program.
"I'm proud of the program," Seeberger said. "I think it's important for workers, but we have some fixes that we need to make." She said she would like to see exemptions for small businesses, agriculture and seasonal workers, along with changes that would reduce the cost to employers. She again said pursuing those changes has meant challenging members of her own party.
Dippel said he welcomed Seeberger's willingness to make changes, but criticized her for supporting the program when it initially passed. He argued that the law was designed as a one-size-fits-all program and said schools, counties, employers and employees are now dealing with the cost.
The disagreement captured much of the Senate forum in miniature. Seeberger argued that legislators should revisit policies, correct problems and work across party lines when necessary. Dippel argued that many of those problems stem from policies Seeberger supported in the first place and that voters should hold lawmakers accountable for those decisions.
In his closing statement, Dippel again focused on clean water, taxes, car tabs, gasoline costs and fraud. "It's my goal to serve and sacrifice for every constituent here, and my door is always open," Dippel said. He said clean water remains one of the strongest messages he hears while campaigning and pledged to continue fighting for Hastings funding.
Seeberger closed by saying District 41 contains voters across the political spectrum and that representing the district means listening to all of them. "District 41 is not a homogenous district," Seeberger said. "It is made up of Democrats and Republicans and Independents and Libertarians and folks that are just plain old checked out of politics altogether."
She said she would continue working on affordability, taxes, changes to paid family and medical leave and efforts to combat fraud. "I work for you, not for a party," Seeberger said.
After more than an hour of questions, disagreements and occasional overlap, Huss closed the forum where she began, thanking the candidates and the organizations that brought them together.
For voters, the evening offered two races with different dynamics. Beck and Fox presented competing approaches while frequently identifying many of the same local problems. Seeberger and Dippel offered a much more direct comparison of legislative records, with each arguing that their approach to state government would better serve the district.
Through both, the issues waiting for the next Legislature were difficult to miss. Residents want relief from rising costs, they want to know where their tax dollars are going, they want representatives who can work with the other side when Hastings needs help and, perhaps more than anything else locally, they want clean water without carrying tens of millions of dollars in infrastructure costs alone.