With less than two weeks until Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, the 2024 fall election end date is closing fast.
On the ballot in the Hastings area are several candidates, including for city council, state assembly, and federal offices.
As for local and state ballot candidates, there are many. This week we cover the contested races for Hastings City Council Ward 2 and Minnesota House Seat 41B.

Hastings City Council Ward 2
Running for Hastings City Council Ward 2 are (in ballot order) Wendi Shilts-Johnson and Mya Beck.
Wendi Shilts-Johnson is a 47-year-old Hastings native, Shilts-Johnson is married to husband Ryan with a son at Christa McAuliffe Elementary. She is also owner/operator of The Studio Downtown. She lists the biggest problem she wants to address in office as water quality. Shilts-Johnson has not held prior elected office.
Mya Beck is 22 years old, having grown up in Michigan before putting down roots in Minnesota with her husband, a lifelong Minnesota resident. She and her husband have a son with Down syndrome, and advocate for Down syndrome awareness. In addition, many family members live in Red Wing. Employed as an auditor and naming the PFAs problem as one that needs to be addressed head on, Beck has not held prior political office.
Here's what the candidates have to say

Wendi Shilts-Johnson

Age: 47
Occupation: Owner/operator of The Studio Downtown
Office sought: Hastings City Council Member Ward 2
Previous elected offices: No prior office held
Hometown/family: I was born and raised in Hastings. My husband, Ryan, and I are proud graduates of Hastings Senior High. We have a 7-year-old son, Ryley, who is in second grade at Christa McAuliffe Elementary.
What drives you to seek office in this election cycle? What is the biggest problem you want to address while in office? What drives me to seek office in this election cycle is my deep connection to Hastings and my desire to serve the community I’ve called home my entire life. Hastings has given me so much, and now I want to give back by advocating for our residents and helping shape the future of our city. I believe in building on the wonderful work already being done, while bringing new ideas to enhance community engagement, support local businesses, and address our evolving needs. I’m committed to ensuring Hastings continues to thrive for everyone.
The biggest problem I want to address while in office is Hastings' water quality. It’s a vital issue that impacts the health and well-being of our entire community. I appreciate the hard work our Public Works and Engineering Department has already done to find solutions, and I understand that this will continue to be a top priority for the city. As a city council member, I will fully support these efforts, advocate for sustainable and effective solutions, and ensure that residents are kept informed about progress and next steps.
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 role is to be a voice for my constituents and act in their best interest. I see this as a balance between the delegate and trusteeship views. There are times when I would act as a delegate, reflecting the direct will of the community, especially on issues like infrastructure improvements or public safety, where residents’ input is crucial to guide decisions.
At other times, I would lean on a trusteeship view, where informed decision-making based on research and expert advice is necessary for long-term challenges like addressing water quality. While I’ll always engage and listen to the concerns of my constituents, I also believe part of my role is to make well-considered decisions when the information might be complex or technical.
In action, this means keeping communication open with the community—through town halls, surveys, and personal interactions—while also bringing the best solutions to the table when making decisions that will impact Hastings for generations.
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? I bring a lifelong connection to Hastings, paired with over 25 years of experience in business and finance. After earning my Bachelor's degree in Business Finance, I gained extensive knowledge in accounting and held managerial roles, giving me a strong foundation in leadership and problem-solving. As a local small business owner, I use these skills daily to navigate challenges, manage budgets, and make informed decisions that support growth and success.
When prioritizing needs, I would approach it with the following list:
1. Water Quality – Ensuring the ongoing work of improving our water is supported and prioritized.
2. Community Engagement – Strengthening communication and transparency between city government and residents to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.
3. Support for Local Businesses – Helping local businesses thrive through economic growth and policy initiatives.
4. Infrastructure Improvements – Maintaining roads, parks, and public spaces for the safety and enjoyment of residents.
To achieve these goals, I would apply my business and financial expertise to ensure projects are managed efficiently, with a focus on accountability and results. For example, improving water quality would involve careful budgeting and collaborating with city departments. Supporting local businesses would mean understanding their financial and operational challenges and proposing policies that make it easier to succeed.
What else should people know before casting their ballot? Before casting their ballot, people should know that I am committed to continuing the great work being done in Hastings while bringing fresh ideas to address our current and future challenges. Born and raised here, I returned 17 years ago to contribute to the community I love, and I’m now raising my own family in Hastings because there’s no place like home. With extensive experience in finance, accounting, and leadership, I am well-equipped to make thoughtful and responsible decisions that prioritize our residents’ needs. I am dedicated to being accessible, transparent, and an advocate for everyone in Hastings.

Mya Beck
Age: 22
Occupation: Auditor
Office sought: Hastings City Council
Prior elected offices: None
Hometown/family: I grew up in Michigan, laying roots down here in Minnesota with my husband – a lifelong resident. Before buying our first house last year, we spent years renting. We have many family members who live in Red Wing.
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 City Council to keep our city an amazing place for my children. Since welcoming our son Theodore to the world, my husband and I have been outspoken advocates for Down Syndrome awareness. I hope to continue Hastings’ reputation for being an open and welcoming community on the city council.
The biggest issue we've heard while meeting residents is that the PFAS problem needs to be addressed head on. While the city council is doing a good job, it's clear that residents cannot afford repeated increases in their water bills. Come 2029, residents will have seen a 400% increase in their water bills. That is not sustainable for our long-term residents. I would like to see increases halted if possible, instead opting to work with the state for emergency funding for new water treatment facilities or support for osmosis filters.
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? I believe there is room for both a trustee and delegate perspective on the city council. My experience as an auditor combined with my husband's experience as a charter school board member and small business owner give us a unique perspective to look at rules and regulations that affect everyday people. On the other hand, the people who live here deserve the final say. It's clear that people want a louder voice when it comes to how their tax dollars are spent and how the new water treatment facilities are funded. I look to be that voice for the people that count on us.
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? I am an auditor for a top-ten audit firm in the Twin Cities. Before that, I worked as a clerk for a small credit union. I know what it takes to generate revenue and balance a budget without being a burden on my clients.
I am also the mother of a special needs son, and am pregnant with our second child. I have spent much of my free time being an advocate for him. I was thrilled to write the language for the now-proclaimed “Down Syndrome Awareness” month in Hastings. I will work with the people and officials in our city to make sure it stays inclusive for everyone, while expanding access for special needs at our parks (if the budget can afford it!).
What else should people know before casting their ballot? At the end of the day, you deserve to keep the money in your pocket. There are talks of raising water bills and property taxes to keep up with new expenses in the city. While some of that is necessary, it is important for a city council member to understand the enormous burden that places on residents. I do not scoff at your expenses. I plan to provide a balanced perspective on the council that advocates for all our residents, no matter what.

Minnesota House Seat 41B
Running this election cycle for Minnesota House Seat 41B are (in ballot order) are Jen Fox (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) and Tom Dippel (Republican).
A lifelong Hastings resident with deep roots in the city, Fox is the co-owner of Spiral Brewery. Prior elected offices for Fox include the Hastings City Council, on which she currently serves. In seeking Minnesota House Seat 41B, Fox expresses an eagerness to fight for state support of clean drinking water, strong funding for public schools, and to work with local governments to improve the economy.
Opposing Fox for Minnesota House Seat 41B, Tom Dippel is a 41-year-old dental manufacturing business owner and lifelong resident of the larger Hastings-Cottage Grove area. Born and raised in Cottage Grove, he graduated from Park High School in 2000, while his wife grew up in New Richland near Owatonna. Her parents live in Woodbury, With no prior elected office, Dippel is running to fight for tax relief, cut red tape, and to bring new and needed resources to the classroom.
Each of the above candidates was sent a questionnaire to fill out and asked to keep their responses to 700 words total. Following are their responses.

Jen Fox

Office sought: As a lifelong Hastings resident whose family has deep roots in our city, I am thrilled for the opportunity to represent our communities in District 41B at the State Capitol.
Prior elected offices: Based on my current public service on City Council, I know the issues that district 41B faces today are greater than what we, as local governments, can face alone. My constituents need support at the state capitol now more than ever. I am eager to fight for state support of clean drinking water, provide strong funding for public schools, and work with local governments to improve our economy. After many years of public service, I am ready to join the House of Representatives and lead with love.
What drives you to seek office in this election cycle? What is the biggest problem you want to address while in office? It is paramount for our state legislature to plan and process our policies as long-term plans. We must develop a vision for what we want Minnesota to be for our future generations. It is so important for our legislators to be active communicators and community advocates. After studying public policy, working in municipal and state government, and being on local non-profits for decades, I know what it takes to plan policy long-term and I am eager to do so for our great state.
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? One of the most relevant skills of a state representative is to meet their constituents where they are; a skill I have worked hard to master in my public service. We must lead with compassion.
Understanding people’s perspective and honoring their story is just the beginning of creating a strong community. As a current representative and strong advocate in my community, I am always available for conversations and actively advocating for my constituents every day. I cannot wait to bring that kind of effort to District 41B.
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? We are in a critical moment of investment for our local business economies and I believe we need to pay close attention to tax incentives to keep small businesses on main street. In order to be competitive with neighboring states, we need to focus on preventing small businesses from leaving our state and supporting their growth and investments in our economy.
My business partners and I have personally felt the outcomes of legislative decisions made in recent years. My small business colleagues in our district are worried about new mandates… and rightfully so. As a co-owner of Spiral Brewery in Hastings I know the challenges of making a living as a small business owner and the difficulties middle-class families are facing in making ends meet. I have first-hand experience being fiscally responsible and understand the challenges of producing a balanced budget.
I am eager to fight for state support of clean drinking water, provide strong funding for public schools, and work with local governments to improve our economy. With my Master’s in Public Policy, I have real ideas about improving and enhancing these critical policies to improve and enhance the care we can provide without financing them at the cost of our local business economy. I will always prioritize working families and work to grow a thriving economy. As your legislator I will trust business owners, listen to their needs and opinions, and provide resources to be good employers.
What else should people know before casting their ballot? I hope my strong values, my passion for building community, and my experience in public service express my desire to work for unity and betterment of all Minnesotans. In the end, regardless of who you vote for, I hope you know I am here to lift you up and look out for you. Feel free to reach out to our campaign to connect with questions, request a lawn sign, or get involved in the coming weeks at jenfoxforhouse.com. I can’t wait to represent you!

(Headshot:)
Tom Dippel

Age: 41
Occupation: Dental manufacturing business owner
Office sought: House District 41B
Prior elected office(s): None
Hometown/family: I am born and raised in Cottage Grove. I graduated from Park High School in 2000. My wife grew up in New Richland, a farming community near Owatonna. Her parents live in Woodbury. My brothers and parents still live in Cottage Grove.
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 Minnesota House because I believe that Minnesotans deserve better than what they saw in the 2023-2024 legislative process. Members from the other party rammed through tax increases, new fees, and a 40% increase in government spending. In 2022, many politicians promised they would take action to fight high grocery bills, housing shortages, and declining test scores. Those same politicians broke their promises, leaving Minnesotans in a worse place than before. I am running to fight for tax relief, cutting red tape, and bringing new and needed resources to the classroom.
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? I believe the role of a State Representative is to operate in both a delegate view and a trustee view. If a politician has made a promise, voters intend to see that promise kept. With complicated issues that are less contentious, I find it acceptable to adopt a trustee role. In this situation, I plan to rely on my extensive background in business and education to take votes that help the people of Cottage Grove, Hastings, Denmark and Nininger.
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? I am a lifelong resident of our shared community. I have watched it grow and change in so many amazing ways. Some of my employees live here, as well. I have heard from many that the high cost of living here may force them to move out of state, even just a few miles to the Wisconsin border. My long and stable experience in business will help balance budgets and cut taxes that plague families in Minnesota. This means cutting the income tax, sales tax, and gas tax.
I also have a background in education. I got together with several families in our community to start a new school in Woodbury, of which I serve as board chairman. I will use this experience to create new incentives to tackle the teacher shortage, provide needed classroom resources, and most importantly, raise our test scores by focusing on academics.
What else should people know before casting their ballot? Our campaign has earned endorsements from organizations and individuals across the political spectrum. This includes the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, the IUOE Local 49, The Minnesota Farm Bureau PAC, and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Leadership Fund PAC. I am excited to say that I will stand for everyone in our district. I hope I can earn your vote.