Detroit Lakes City Council Ward 1 · Nov 3, 2026
Shaun
Carlson
Shaun Carlson, the incumbent, is running for Detroit Lakes City Council Ward 1 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Lindsey Cooksey.
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The race · City Council Ward 1
- 01Shaun CarlsonYou’re reading
- 02Lindsey Cooksey
Background
- About
- Shaun Carlson is the incumbent Ward 1 alderman and director of enterprise IT at Arvig. He chairs the Detroit Lakes Planning Commission.
On the record: Shaun Carlson
11 sourced01Data centers1 sourced position
Said he is not opposed to data centers but that they must be operated responsibly and be the right decision for the community.
I'm not opposed to data centers, but I do believe they need to be operated responsibly and must be the right decision for our community before moving forward.”
Own statementKAXE · Sep 30, 2026Link
02Zoning1 sourced position
as reported by the Detroit Lakes Tribune
Said the city has been simplifying zoning rules and can use them to allow smaller lot sizes.
That's where we can make changes to make smaller lot sizes and do those kinds of things”
Forum answerDetroit Lakes Tribune · Sep 23, 2026Link
03Streets and assessments1 sourced position
Said his top priority is planning street and utility improvements in Ward 1 while keeping costs and assessments down.
Planning for street and utility improvements in Ward 1.”
Own statementDetroit Lakes TribuneLink
04Property tax levy1 sourced position
Voted yes on the final 2026 budget and $9.26 million levy (adopted without a dissenting vote, December 2025).
Council voteCity of Detroit Lakes · Dec 9, 2025LinkHow the council voted
05Hemp edibles license1 sourced position
Voted no on applying for a lower-potency hemp edible license for the municipal liquor store (passed 7-1, October 2025).
Council voteCity of Detroit Lakes · Oct 14, 2025Link
06Council prayer2 sourced positions
Voted yes on adopting a policy for prayer before council meetings (failed 3-5, September 2025).
Council voteCity of Detroit Lakes · Sep 9, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted no on rescinding the April 2025 decision to open council meetings with prayer (passed 6-2, September 2025).
Council voteCity of Detroit Lakes · Sep 9, 2025LinkHow the council voted
07State flag2 sourced positions
Voted yes on flying the official Minnesota state flag (passed 5-3, March 2025).
Council voteCity of Detroit Lakes · Mar 11, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted no on rescinding the decision to fly the official state flag (failed 5-3; a supermajority was required, May 2025).
Council voteCity of Detroit Lakes · May 13, 2025LinkHow the council voted
08Ten Commandments monument1 sourced position
Voted yes on placing the Ten Commandments monument along Larry's Pathway in City Park (passed 6-2, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Detroit Lakes · May 12, 2026LinkHow the council voted
09Peoples Parking Lot1 sourced position
Voted no on approving plans and authorizing bids for the Peoples Parking Lot (failed 1-7, June 2025).
Council voteCity of Detroit Lakes · Jun 10, 2025LinkHow the council voted
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