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See our general election voter’s guide.
The 2022 primary election is on Tuesday, August 9 and includes county commissioner and county attorney races for all of West St. Paul, and the northern half of West St. Paul also has state house and senate primaries. Here’s your voter’s guide.
How to Vote
The West St. Paul city website has details on where and how to vote. You can also vote early with an absentee ballot, either by mail or by stopping at the Dakota County offices, starting on June 24. Remember that redistricting created new legislative and city ward boundaries, which means your polling place may have changed.
What’s on the Ballot
The primary ballot includes non-partisan county commissioner and county attorney races for all of West St. Paul, and the northern half of West St. Paul in Senate District 65 (roughly north of Emerson) will also vote in the Democratic primary for state house and senate. There are also state-wide offices on the primary ballot. Use the Secretary of State’s ballot tool to see your sample ballot.
We’ll add candidate questionnaires, forums, and additional info as it becomes available.
Printable Voter’s Guide
For a quick glance at the candidates—including a series of yes/no questions on basic issues— check out our printable voter’s guide. Notice that it is two pages, with the county races on the front and the legislative races on the back.
Dakota County Attorney
The top two will advance to the general election in this non-partisan race.
- Kathy Keena (incumbent) (campaign site)
- Elizabeth Lamin (campaign site)
- Matt Little (campaign site)
- Jeff Sheridan (campaign site)
Candidate Q&A:
- Role of the County Attorney: How do you see the role and what’s the most important part of the job?
- Top priorities: What are your two to three top priorities as county attorney and how will you address those issues?
- Criminal justice reform: What criminal justice reforms are important to you and how will you enact them?
- Public safety: What are your top public safety concerns and how would you address them?
- (Be sure to see our printable voter’s guide for candidate answers to a series of yes/no questions on basic issues.)
Resources:
Dakota County Commissioner – District 2
The top two will advance to the general election in this non-partisan race.
- Joe Atkins (campaign site)
- Jimmy Francis (campaign site)
- John Wheeler
Candidate Q&A:
- Top issues: What are the two to three key issues for Dakota County to address in the next four years?
- Housing: What housing policies do you support? What are your views on affordable housing and multi-family housing?
- Public safety: What are your top public safety concerns and how would you address them?
- Better: How will you make Dakota County better? What specific strategies or policies can you put in place to create positive change?
- (Be sure to see our printable voter’s guide for candidate answers to a series of yes/no questions on basic issues.)
Resources:
- East Metro Voter’s Guide
- Vote411 Voter’s Guide
- St. Paul Voice (see pages 8-9)
- Pioneer Press
Senate District 65
The winner in this Democratic primary will advance to the general election. (Note: Only the northern half of West St. Paul is in district 65B. There is no primary for the southern half.)
- Zuki Ellis (campaign site)
- Sheigh Freeberg (campaign site)
- Sandy Pappas (incumbent) (campaign site)
Candidate Q&A:
- Top issues: What are your two to three top priorities as a state senator and how will you address those issues?
- Surplus & divided government: How do you think that surplus should be used? Moving forward, how will you work across the aisle to ensure vital legislation can pass?
- West St. Paul: What differences do you see between West St. Paul and the rest of the district? How will you address the needs and concerns of West St. Paul residents?
- Democratic politics: In recent years the Democratic Party has ranged from far-left progressives to centrists with plenty in between. Where do you see yourself in that debate and how does the party move forward?
- (Be sure to see our printable voter’s guide for candidate answers to a series of yes/no questions on basic issues.)
Resources:
- Vote411 Voter’s Guide
- St. Paul Voice (see pages 1, 7)
Other News:
- State Senator Sends Mailer With False Endorsement Claims
- Minnesota Reformer on Generational Split
- Pioneer Press
- Naomi Kritzer’s blog
House District 65B
The winner in this Democratic primary will advance to the general election. (Note: Only the northern half of West St. Paul is in district 65B. There is no primary for the southern half.)
- Anna Botz (campaign site)
- María Isa (campaign site)
Candidate Q&A:
- Top issues: What are your two to three top priorities as a state representative and how will you address those issues?
- Surplus & divided government: How do you think that surplus should be used? Moving forward, how will you work across the aisle to ensure vital legislation can pass?
- West St. Paul: What differences do you see between West St. Paul and the rest of the district? How will you address the needs and concerns of West St. Paul residents?
- Democratic politics: In recent years the Democratic Party has ranged from far-left progressives to centrists with plenty in between. Where do you see yourself in that debate and how does the party move forward?
- (Be sure to see our printable voter’s guide for candidate answers to a series of yes/no questions on basic issues.)
Resources
State Offices
There will also be primaries for state offices, including governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
Thanks for Participating in Our Democracy
No matter who you’re supporting, be sure to get out there and vote.
If you think our civics could be a little more civil, you’re not alone. Learn more about a book, Better Politics, Please, inspired by politics in West St. Paul and written by two West St. Paul residents.
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