Shelly Carlson

My experience as Mayor of Moorhead, a former City Council member, nonprofit leader, and small business owner has prepared me well to serve in the Minnesota Legislature. For nearly six years as Mayor, I’ve worked with local, state, and federal leaders to secure investments in housing, flood protection, public safety, infrastructure, and economic development. Professionally, my work in victim services and elder justice has given me firsthand experience helping vulnerable individuals navigate complex systems. Just as importantly, I’ve built the relationships needed to bring people together, solve problems, and deliver results for the communities I serve.

My top three priorities for Minnesota are affordability, workforce and economic growth, and public safety. Families are struggling with rising housing, childcare, and healthcare costs, and we need practical solutions that make life more affordable. We must also strengthen our workforce by supporting strong schools, workforce training, and policies that help businesses create good-paying jobs. Finally, safe communities are essential to quality of life. That means supporting law enforcement, expanding mental health services, and ensuring first responders have the resources they need. These priorities help create strong, thriving communities across Minnesota.

Over the next five years, Minnesota’s greatest opportunity is to grow our economy by investing in workforce development, entrepreneurship, housing, and infrastructure while building on our strong quality of life. Our biggest challenges will be maintaining affordability, addressing workforce shortages, and remaining competitive with neighboring states for jobs, talent, and investment. We must also meet the needs of an aging population while ensuring young families can afford to live and work here. If we focus on practical solutions and strong partnerships, Minnesota can continue to be a place where businesses thrive and families succeed.

Yes. Minnesota’s long-term success depends on attracting, developing, and retaining talented people. Strategic investments in workforce training, higher education, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, and quality-of-life initiatives help ensure employers can find the workers they need and communities can thrive. As Mayor, I have seen firsthand how partnerships between schools, higher education institutions, businesses, and local governments strengthen our workforce pipeline. State investments should be targeted, accountable, and focused on programs that help Minnesotans gain skills, fill workforce shortages, and build successful careers while encouraging talented individuals and families to make Minnesota their home.

Yes. Economic development tools such as incentives, tax credits, and targeted business assistance programs can be effective when they are strategic, transparent, and deliver measurable results. As Mayor, I have seen firsthand how partnerships between local and state government can help attract investment, support business expansion, create jobs, and grow the tax base. In border communities like Moorhead, these tools are especially important to remain competitive with neighboring states. I support investments that encourage private-sector growth, strengthen local economies, and provide a strong return on investment for taxpayers.

Meeting Minnesota’s housing needs will require a combination of increased supply, reduced development barriers, and strategic investment. The Legislature can support attainable market-rate housing by expanding infrastructure funding, strengthening workforce housing programs, supporting local development tools, and reviewing regulations that unnecessarily increase costs and delay projects. As Mayor, I’ve worked with housing developers, nonprofits, and regional partners to expand housing options in Moorhead. We need policies that encourage a mix of housing types, support public-private partnerships, and help communities meet growing demand while keeping housing attainable for working families, seniors, and young professionals.

Affordable, accessible childcare is essential for families, employers, and Minnesota’s economy. I support a balanced approach that increases childcare capacity, strengthens the workforce, and helps keep costs manageable for families. This includes reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers, expanding incentives and grants for providers, supporting childcare workforce recruitment and retention, and encouraging employer-supported childcare solutions. As Mayor, I have worked with childcare providers, businesses, and community partners and understand how childcare shortages affect workforce participation and economic growth. We need practical solutions that expand access to safe, high-quality childcare in communities across Minnesota.

Border communities like Moorhead compete every day with neighboring states for businesses, investment, workforce, and residents. One of my top priorities will be strengthening and modernizing Minnesota’s Border Cities Enterprise Zone program. The program has been a valuable economic development tool, but its funding has not kept pace with today’s needs and the statutory language limits how communities can use it. I support increasing funding and updating the program to provide greater flexibility for housing, redevelopment, business expansion, and workforce-related projects. Modernizing this tool will help border communities remain competitive and continue growing Minnesota’s economy.