Willmar Mayoral Primary Election - Tuesday, August 11th, 2026.

We ask each of the four Candidates, Justin Ask, Zeke Dahl, Rollie Nissen and Sarah Rose Vasquez six questions to get a better understanding of each candidate. Here are their answers.

 

What are three words that best describe you as a candidate?

Ask: Approachable. Experienced. Collaborative.

Dahl: Hard working, honest, common sense

Nissen: Those words are Leadership, Service, and Responsive! I have been in Leadership positions since I was a Junior in high school as class president, various offices at my Church, as a second lieutenant in the National Guard, and as a Kandiyohi County Commissioner for eight years. The word Service, other than in the military and County Government, comes from my 30 years as manager and district supervisor for Tradehome Shoes. Their emphasis on Customer Service prepared me well for the role of Commissioner and as Mayor. (listening, communicating, and taking action on behalf of constituents) The word Responsive is a partner of service.

Vasquez: I am innovative, collaborative, and a just person.

 

Why are you seeking this office?

Ask: After six years on the City Council, I've gained valuable experience, built strong working relationships, and developed a deep understanding of both the opportunities and challenges our city faces. I want to build on that experience by bringing people together, making thoughtful decisions, and keeping Willmar moving forward. I'm not running to represent a political ideology. I'm running to represent the people of Willmar. My goal is to listen well, lead collaboratively, and help create the conditions for businesses to invest, families to put down roots, and our community to continue growing.

Dahl: To bring change and a new way of thinking to government.

Nissen: I have proudly called Willmar my home since 1965! This community has given so much to my family and me in terms of education, employment, and an environment to live in safely. Just as when I ran for County Commissioner, I am seeking the opportunity to give back through dedicated public service.

As a fully retired individual, I have the time and flexibility to serve our city and its residents whenever needed.

Vasquez: I want to give our community hope by changing how we operate locally-because local change can inspire national change. As a leader, I am fully committed to ensuring our community’s ideas and input actively shape the future of Willmar. To build a better future, we need everyone’s voice at the table, working together to tackle local challenges and bridge our differences. Serving as the Mayor of Willmar will show me firsthand where city, state, and national policies intersect. I’m pursuing a law degree, not just to practice law, but to know it deeply enough to dismantle systems that no longer serve citizens. This is also why I will only serve a single term. I believe four years is enough time to pass a shared goal along to the next willing leader, allowing me to transition to a new city.

 

What are the three most critical issues facing Willmar, and why do you believe these are the most pressing concerns?

Ask: Responsible budgeting is essential to Willmar's future. We cannot rely on continually raising taxes to meet every need. Instead, we must prioritize spending, pursue grants and partnerships whenever possible, and make thoughtful investments that provide long-term value for taxpayers.

Economic growth is one way we achieve that. We've made significant investments to position Willmar for future success, including shovel-ready industrial sites with rail access. Now we need to capitalize on that momentum by supporting existing businesses, attracting new employers, and expanding our commercial and industrial tax base.

Single family housing is the next critical piece of that equation. Employers cannot grow if workers cannot find quality housing, and families need housing options that fit every stage of life—from first-time homebuyers to retirees.

These priorities are closely connected. Responsible budgeting helps keep taxes under control. Economic growth expands the tax base, reducing pressure on property taxpayers. Housing supports workforce growth and gives businesses the confidence they can continue to invest and expand in Willmar.

Dahl: Potholes, abandon houses and graffiti.

Nissen: Road assessment rules are difficult for some of our residents to pay, and yet the work needs to be done. Some of our streets are not in good condition and funding sources need to be examined.

Railroad quiet zones continue to be a problem that needs to be resolved, not only because of the noise, but the effect the noise has on the health of some of our citizens. Communication between the taxing authorities, County, City, and School Board as well as the City's communications with the Utilities Commission needs to be better.

Vasquez: 1. Transparency is a critical issue because community members should get clear, direct answers from city leaders whenever they ask about city affairs.

2. I believe it is highly possible that the city can find ways to reduce the budget to ensure property tax levies continue to decrease. There is increasing frustration over this matter. 3. The city must prioritize investing in a long-term solution for our ongoing flooding issues because it is costing the city money.

 

What role, if any, should local government play in investing in community amenities, quality-of-life initiatives, and development projects designed to attract residents, visitors, and workforce talent to Willmar?

 Ask: Local government has an important role in creating an environment where businesses and families can succeed. That means investing in the infrastructure, utilities, transportation, and public services that allow private investment to happen. At the same time, government shouldn't try to do everything itself. City government should be looking to remove barriers, build strong public-private partnerships, and invest strategically where the community receives lasting value.

Before investing taxpayer dollars, I ask three questions: 1) Does it solve a real community need? 2) Will it encourage additional private investment? 3) Is it a responsible use of taxpayer dollars? If the answer is yes, those are investments worth considering.

Dahl: You have public private partnership with the mall and use the civil process of the law for property cleanup along with eminent domain some parts of Willmar look worse than third world country.

Nissen: Willmar has done a good job in the past with improvements to Robbins Island and other projects around town, with the help of local residents and businesses. I think that should continue, but with fiscal responsibility as a curb. We need to be careful with our spending so that we can fix the streets, improve our water quality, drainage, and sewer issues. Flooded streets and basements are not inviting to people who might otherwise want to relocate here.

Vasquez: I recommend that the city evaluate underutilized municipal properties for potential conversion into community amenities. Transforming an unused city building into a family entertainment venue, or an arcade would give our residents a much-needed space to gather while attracting visitors to Willmar.

The city should collaborate with Habit to Humanity to identify city-owned land for donation. This would provide affordable homeownership opportunities and bring much needed relief to residents, especially as housing costs continue to rise.

As Mayor I would like to invest my time and ask Willmar business owners if they would voluntarily pay a true living wage (at least $20) to their employees. With rising inflation, many workers earning low wages-such as $16 an hour-can barely afford their basic needs.

 

What is your vision for Willmar's economic growth over the next five years? If elected, what would you hope to accomplish during your first six months in office?

Ask: My vision is for Willmar to strengthen its position as the economic leader of west-central Minnesota; not just because of our size, but because we're a community where people and businesses can thrive.

I want Willmar to be known as a place where employers can expand, entrepreneurs can start businesses, families can find housing, and young people can see opportunities to build their future. That means continuing to invest strategically in infrastructure and maintaining a predictable development process. Government needs to control spending while we build on the investments we've already made to position our community for long-term success.

I also want Willmar to be known as a city that works well with people. Predictable decision-making, strong partnerships, and thoughtful long-term planning build confidence throughout our community and beyond. By working together and following through on our priorities, we can continue strengthening our economy and ensure that Willmar remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

Dahl: Well, you have all these groups that are working on that but growth isn't always good if you can't keep up on what you have already.

Nissen: My vision is that with the planned Rail Spur into the Industrial Park that we will continue to attract businesses which will add tax base and attract workers for the good paying jobs which this project will foster.

Vasquez: Over the next five years, I envision economic growth that is built from the inside out. That means supporting our existing local, small business, creating living-wage jobs that keep up with inflation, and ensuring our workers can actually afford to live here. When we invest in our people and lower the barrier for local entrepreneurs, Willmar becomes a hub where everyone has a seat at the table.

 

If elected, what would you hope to accomplish during your first six months in office?

Ask: Because I've served six years on the City Council and four years as Mayor Pro Tem, I won't be starting from scratch. I understand the issues, know the projects already underway, and have built the relationships needed to begin working on day one to keep Willmar moving forward.

One of my first priorities will be bringing long-discussed issues to resolution. Our community deserves clear direction on projects like City Hall and the Community Center so we can move from discussion to decisions—and from decisions to execution. I also want to establish regular communication with community leaders and major employers, so we continue identifying opportunities, removing barriers, and responding quickly to challenges. Just as importantly, I want to ensure our decisions remain grounded in responsible budgeting and long-term planning.

The first six months aren't about making headlines—they're about making progress, maintaining momentum, and turning good plans into measurable results.

Dahl: Have user friendly  website for the public to report problems and direct to a proper city department. And due a forensic audit of the budget  to see where  spending also were we can save.

Nissen: It will be my goal to build a team that will work together for the benefit of all of our citizens and strive to operate in a fiscally responsible way for our taxpayers benefit!

Vasquez: In my first six months, my priority is establishing a secure citywide polling system. Giving residents a direct vote on key city agenda items is the foundational step toward putting decision-making power back where it belongs: in the hands of our community. Whether an idea comes from me or a community member, it stays a proposal until it earns the backing of the majority of Willmar's residents.