Moorhead City Council Ward 1 · Nov 3, 2026
Ryan Nelson
Candidate for City Council Ward 1 (incumbent)
Ryan Nelson, the incumbent, is running for Moorhead City Council Ward 1 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Sarah Opitz and Dalton Swanson.
Pre-registration deadline (you can still register at the polls) · Tue, Oct 13, 2026
Ryan Nelson is the Ward 1 council member and MSUM's director of public safety. He served about 20 years in law enforcement.
At the Sept. 23 League of Women Voters forum, Sarah Opitz was the only Ward 1 candidate to attend; Ryan Nelson submitted a written statement. Valley News Live · Sep 24, 2026
Where Ryan Nelson stands: positions on the record
Downtown redevelopment1 sourced position
Voted yes on the Renaissance Zone property tax exemption for Innovis Health LLC for a commercial renovation at 730 Center Ave (passed 8-0, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Moorhead
Fiber franchise1 sourced position
Voted yes on the first reading of the ordinance granting a fiber optic franchise to Metro Fibernet, LLC (passed 8-0, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Moorhead
Growth and development1 sourced position
Wrote that Moorhead's greatest opportunity is continued growth through business investment, housing development and regional collaboration.
“Moorhead’s greatest opportunity is continued growth through business investment, housing development, and regional collaboration.”
Own statementHigh Plains Reader · Sep 23, 2026
Also running for City Council Ward 1
- Ben Livingston (withdrawn)
- Sarah Opitz
- Dalton Swanson
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