Candidate Surveys: Cover Letter

Dear Candidate,

Saint Paul STRONG thanks you for deciding to run as a candidate for the Saint Paul City Council. We have sent out the attached survey questions to all the candidates who previously filed for election. Thank you to those who have already answered. They have already been published on our website. If you have newly filed, we hope you will support our goal of political transparency by also submitting your positions on the issues identified. These answers will be shared with endorsing organizations and the media.

STRONG will also host individual Ward candidate forums on SPNN. It will not be broadcast live, but with small number of invited non-partisan observers in the audience. It will then be broadcast and re-broadcast later. Only candidates who have responded to STRONG’s survey will be invited to participate. We are also requiring survey answers no later than October 1st . We will both publish the answers and send them out when we receive them.

*The dates of the forums has been moved to either October 10th or 11th. Each Ward will be separately recorded in a closed studio and broadcast multiple times after October 11th. This is being done so as not to give advantage to the later participants. The actual sessions will not be open to the public.

Thank you,

John Mannillo

651 338-0804

Candidate Survey Questions

Saint Paul STRONG is a non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting transparent, accountable local government in Saint Paul, Minnesota. We act not only as a watchdog but also a resource for city government and the public it represents. You can go to our website for more information. There you will find our rationale for establishing Saint Paul STRONG’s six principles for transparency and accountability in government. In addition to the below candidate survey, it also asks City Council candidates to endorse these principles.

Saint Paul STRONG does not endorse any candidate.

Candidate Surveys

Saint Paul STRONG has asked the candidates for Saint Paul City Council to respond to survey questions regarding eight current policy issues that impact the City and to specifically clarify their position on each of these issues.

Candidate survey questions:

1. Do you support the current renter stabilization ordinance, and if not, what changes would you apply?

2. Do you support the construction of the Summit Ave. bike lane?

3. Do you support the elimination of zoning for single family housing?

4. What is one action you would take to reduce or neutralize criminal violence to improve residents’ sense of safety?

5. Do you support renegotiation of the franchise agreement with Xcel Energy?

6. What is your favorite and least desirable detail about the Carter Administration?

7. Has the newly organized trash system in Saint Paul been successful and if not, how would you change it?

8. Do you support historic preservation in Saint Paul?

Candidate responses or lack of, will be published on our website https://saintpaulstrong.com/ up until October 5th. Candidate responses will be shared with the media and endorsing organizations.

Candidates should return their responses and any questions to stpstrong@gmail.com or by calling Saint Paul STRONG Chair, John Mannillo at 651 338-0804.

NOTE! Candidates who choose not to complete Saint Paul STRONG’s Survey will not be asked to participate in the candidate forums.

Candidate Forums

Saint Paul STRONG will hold Candidate Forums for each competitive ward on October 10th and 11th, depending on the number of participants. These forums will not be broadcast live, and no audience will be present. Upon the completion of all the forums, they will be broadcast on SPNN and posted on Saint Paul STRONG’s website. Once broadcast, voters will be able to access these forums up to Election Day.

Saint Paul City Council 2023 Election Candidate Surveys and Forums

Candidate Forums

The candidate forums are being broadcast on SPNN Channel 19 and are also on Youtube. Details can be found HERE.

About the Survey

Saint Paul STRONG has asked the candidates for Saint Paul City Council for answers to questions on eight policy issues currently impacting the City and their position on these issues.

Read about the process.