​The West Fargo Voter Guide

By Bryce Vincent Haugen

brycevincenthaugen@gmail.com

The High Plains Reader has compiled a guide to inform West Fargo voters about candidates and issues. On June 9, West Fargoans will elect a new mayor —who is running unopposed — as well as two new commissioners from four candidates. (The two incumbents declined to seek reelection.)

Voters will also elect three park board members from four candidates. Two park board members are vying for reelection and one decided against it.

Four incumbent West Fargo School Board members are running unopposed for reelection: Jon Erickson, Jessica Jackson, Jim Jonas and Jessica Jones. So we omitted the race from our Voter Guide.

Voters interested in casting their ballot early can go to the Cass County auditor’s office in the courthouse up to 15 days before the election. On Election Day (June 9) polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. To find the appropriate polling place, go to vip.sos.nd.gov/wheretovote.aspx. For any questions about voting, contact the Cass County Elections Office at 701-241-5600 or visit their website at casscountynd.gov/elections.

West Fargo Mayor

Mayor Bernie Dardis, who defeated longtime mayor Rich Mattern in the 2018 municipal elections, decided against running for a third term. Only one candidate — Eric Gjerdevig, a one-term commissioner who decided not to run for reelection in 2022 — filed to replace him. Dardis’ decision means Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo will all elect new mayors in 2026.

Eric Gjerdevig

Eric Gjerdevig is an educator, business leader and former commissioner with more than 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He co-founded and grew a company, building what he calls a reputation for practical leadership and fiscally responsible decision making. He serves as a lecturer and executive director at North Dakota State University, where he leads an experiential program in sales and works closely with students, businesses and community partners. A lifelong West Fargo resident, he said he is committed to transparent leadership, smart growth and maintaining the strong quality of life that makes the community a great place to live, work and raise a family.

HPR: How does your biography and background prepare you for the job of West Fargo mayor?

Eric Gjerdevig: My background as a business leader, educator and community member has prepared me well to serve as mayor of West Fargo. I spent years building and leading a company, making fiscally responsible decisions and managing growth.

Today, I work closely with students, businesses, and community partners, giving me insight into workforce and economic development. I also understand the importance of transparency, communication, and collaboration. Living and raising a family here keeps me grounded in what matters most. These experiences have shaped a practical, common-sense approach to leadership focused on long-term success for our community.

HPR: What are your top three campaign issues?

EG: My top three campaign issues are transparency, fiscal responsibility, and smart growth.

First, I believe residents deserve clear, consistent communication about decisions, budgets, and long-term plans.

Second, I will prioritize fiscally conservative leadership that respects taxpayers while maintaining high-quality city services.

Third, I will focus on managing growth thoughtfully, especially with new development opportunities, by ensuring infrastructure, public safety and services keep pace. These priorities are about protecting what makes West Fargo a great place to live while positioning the city for sustainable, long-term success.

HPR: What are the biggest challenges and biggest opportunities the city of West Fargo faces?

EG: West Fargo’s biggest opportunity is also its biggest challenge: growth. With the completion of the Red River Diversion, significant new land will be available for development, creating opportunities for housing, business expansion and long-term economic growth.

The challenge will be managing that growth responsibly. We must ensure infrastructure, public safety and city services keep pace without overextending resources or losing what makes West Fargo a great place to live. If we stay disciplined and plan ahead, this moment can strengthen our community for years to come

West Fargo Commission

Commissioners Roben Anderson and Brad Olson declined to seek reelection. That means that, in the most hotly contested race in the city this cycle, two of the four newcomer candidates for West Fargo City Commission will join the body after the June 9 election.

If candidate Patti Stedman, a West Fargo School Board member, wins, she will pull double duty. North Dakota law allows officials to serve in multiple elected roles simultaneously.

Patti Stedman

Patti Stedman, a member of the West Fargo School Board, is a longtime West Fargo resident with experience in business, property management and community service. She has been involved in local education and civic initiatives, supporting families, students and neighborhood development. Stedman said she values open communication with residents and stakeholders and is committed to transparent, accountable local government.

HPR: How does your biography and background prepare you for the job of West Fargo city commissioner?

Patti Stedman: I currently serve on five state and local boards with more than 19 years of experience. I currently serve as board chair on four. I believe in collaboration and pride myself as a person who listens more than I talk. I participated in creating and monitoring policies, strategic planning, budget planning, and negotiations.

I am a firm believer that the city is stronger when we collaborate with community partners. Collaboration is the key to a solid foundation and a pillar for work and each board that I serve on.

HPR: What are your top three campaign issues?

PS: 1. Continue to maintain a balanced general fund budget and manage the tax burden. With continued growth, we need to ensure new developments have necessary services while maintaining our older neighborhoods.

2. Sustain high quality core services, especially public safety. Maintaining high quality services is important to ensure that residents and businesses want to move to, and remain in, our community.

3. Improve transparency and long-range planning. Through public input, determine what the community wants and what we can afford. Long-range planning allows the city to be initiative-taking and not reactive while remaining fiscally responsible.

HPR: What are the biggest challenges and biggest opportunities the city of West Fargo faces?

PS: 1. Continued economic growth to create opportunities for new businesses and workforce expansion while managing the 3% cap from the last legislative session.

2. Continuing to strengthen neighborhoods and expanding housing options through long-range planning to include enhancing parks and supporting strong neighborhoods.

3. Continually updating a comprehensive plan that outlines opportunities to improve transportation, parks, community spaces while collaborating with community partners such as the parks, county and school district.

John Severson

John Severson, who ran as a commission candidate in 2024, works as management in the transportation industry. He has been a West Fargo resident for about 15 years.

HPR: How does your biography and background prepare you for the job of West Fargo commissioner?

John Severson: For the last 20 years, I have led successful teams with measurable business outcomes. These outcomes lead to fiscal responsibility and operational efficiency.

HPR: What are your top three campaign issues?

JS: 1. Fiscal Responsibility

2. Reduce property tax/specials burden

3. Reduce the debt.

HPR: What are the biggest challenges and biggest opportunities the city of West Fargo faces?

JS: The biggest issue is the debt load the city has accumulated.

David Withee

A graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with an MBA from the University of Dubuque, David Withee has had a career in sales and marketing management, primarily with companies providing infrastructure products for laboratory building construction. Now retired, he and his wife moved to West Fargo from Green Bay to be near family. He is involved with the Challey Institute of NDSU.

HPR: How does your biography and background prepare you for the job of West Fargo city commissioner?

David Withee: As a cofounder of West Fargo TAP, I have attended most commission meetings over the last three years, gaining insights into how the commission and staff operate. I have had manager and senior manager positions in both small and large organizations.

For decades I have managed budgets, often making difficult decisions, such as during the 2008-09 housing bubble crisis. Having served as board chair for a regional hospital and for an international trade association, I have experience influencing people who don't report directly to me.

HPR: What are your top three campaign issues?

DW: 1. Fiscal management: Budgets have been mismanaged by both staff and commissioners. Staff must be taught how to meet the state mandated 3% property tax growth cap.

2. Infrastructure: "Specials" taxes are not a fair way to expense ongoing needs from past growth, especially for residents living off of Social Security.

3. Staff turnover: Most of our managers have not been trained for their positions and are not being mentored. My background has prepared me to help with these challenges.

HPR: What are the biggest challenges and biggest opportunities the city of West Fargo faces?

DW: 1. Effective fiscal management under the state mandated property tax growth cap.

2. Resisting pressure from developers to grow when the lagoons and diversion properties become available.

3. Mentoring unelected staff to do their jobs properly, aligning their goals with the goals of the elected commissioners, rather than what they believe they should be doing.

Candidate Tyler Erickson, a staff attorney for the North Dakota Insurance Department, did not respond to several email requests to be included in this Voter Guide.

West Fargo Park Board

There will be at least one new face on the West Fargo Park Board following the June 9 election, because member Jeff McCracken — first elected in 2010 — is not seeking reelection. Incumbents Chris Heise and Jake Lauritsen are joined on the ballot by newcomers Thomas Paskvan and Bob Rasmussen — four candidates for three seats.

Chris Heise (incumbent)

An agent for American Family Insurance, Chris Heise was first elected to the park board in June 2018. He is seeking a third term.

HPR: How does your biography and background prepare you for the job of West Fargo Park board member?

Chris Heise: I have spent the majority of my life in West Fargo. My wife and I both graduated from WF and so did my children. I have been involved in many sports with my children and myself as an official.

I feel I can bring energy needed to get things done while making fiscally responsible decisions. I believe that I can be a valuable asset to the board because of my business experience and involvement in this community in multiple organizations like the WF VFW, WF AMVETS, ND Veterans Home Foundation, WF Exchange Club and the RRVF.

HPR: What are your top three campaign issues?

CH: First, I feel that it is important to continue to diversify events and choices for our citizens, from our youth to senior citizens.

Second would be keeping up with our facilities with the growth of our expanding city.

Thirdly would be to be more involved with the school district and city so we all can be aware of the issues facing our organizations and work together to provide assistance to each other.

HPR: What are the biggest challenges and biggest opportunities West Fargo Parks faces?

CH: We need to continue to evaluate the current short- and long-range planning by working with the planning and zoning commission and developers for future park needs in the newly developed areas as the city continues to grow. It is essential that partnerships be developed with private organizations as well as other public entities, working with other elected bodies in WF as well as in other metro area cities to maximize our dollars.

Jake Lauritsen (incumbent)

A financial advisor for Retirement Planners of West Fargo, Jake Lauritsen was first elected to the park board in June 2018 and is seeking a third term. He currently serves as Park Board president.

HPR: How does your biography and background prepare you for the job of WF Park Commissioner?

Jake Lauritsen: As a life-long West Fargo resident, I’ve lived here long before the population boom and I’ve experienced first hand how important it is to protect the character and quality of life that makes 58078 such a great place to live.

Over my last two terms on the Park Board and currently serving as Park Board President, I’ve worked hard to help the district become a more transparent, accessible and accountable public entity. Our mill levy has remained steady over this time and we’re well prepared as we enter a new era of capped property valuations. It will now be more vital than ever to work with the school district on strategic planning of community needs to protect the taxpayers of 58078.

HPR: What are your top three campaign issues?

JL: Navigating the new property tax evaluation caps and prioritizing district/community needs should be any board member’s top priority moving forward.

The needs of the growing population surrounding West Fargo may differ from ours and we need to work with those communities to help provide additional amenities. This also entails working closely with the school district on future planning needs, as they have the taxing authority over those surrounding areas.

Public/private partnerships can help alleviate the tax burden on our citizens, but they need to be done in a way that the residents benefit by being able to use whatever is built.

HPR: What are the biggest challenges and biggest opportunities West Fargo Parks faces?

JL: The biggest challenge could also provide the most opportunities we’ve seen in years, as the diversion project comes to an end. The growth of the district footprint coincides with the diversion and the undeveloped land it creates.

Funding has not been provided to the Horace and West Fargo Park Districts, so one could say challenges outweigh the opportunities on this topic. The other serious challenge is the new evaluation caps on property taxes and making sure the public is aware of the changes they may see moving forward.

Bob Rasmussen

A West Fargo native who graduated from West Fargo High School in 1999, Bob Rasmussen attended the University of North Dakota and earned a degree in aeronautics. He’s spent the last 20 years flying and is currently the chief pilot for a Fargo-based company's flight department. He and his wife have two children in the West Fargo Public Schools system.

HPR: How does your biography and background prepare you for the job of West Fargo park board member?

Bob Rasmussen: Growing up with parents with careers in public service, I was able to absorb a great deal of information on how to effectively and professionally work in community spaces. I have also served on and been involved in different boards which has allowed me to learn the dynamics of how different boards operate.

I also feel that my family is the target market as we have young children that love to take advantage of what West Fargo Parks has to offer.

HPR: What are your top three campaign issues?

BR: The first priority would be to ensure that we retain a large amount of green space. Areas with open grass and trees with parks in or near them are important to have, with everything around them surrounded by concrete.

Another priority is keeping existing parks and park district buildings updated and clean.

Another priority is to keep innovating as we continue to expand. As our community expands, we will have the opportunity to use our imagination to create exciting new venues for everyone in West Fargo to enjoy.

HPR: What are the biggest challenges and biggest opportunities the parks district faces? 

BR: A challenge that our park district faces, just like any other, is to maintain relevancy. The upkeep of existing parks needs to be kept on the same level as creating new parks and spaces. With a rapidly growing population like West Fargo has, it will be important to have enough space to accommodate those in our community that would like to use park district facilities. Our opportunities are endless. A growing and healthy community gives us the benefit of using our imagination to create spaces that are innovative and exciting.

Despite numerous attempts to find contact information, the HPR was unable to reach Park Board candidate Thomas Paskvan.