Moorhead mayor, Ward 1 candidates debate city issues at forum

MOORHEAD — Candidates in two Moorhead city government races dialed in on city issues during candidate forums Wednesday, Sept. 23. The League of Women Voters of the Red River Valley hosted the candidate forums for Moorhead mayoral candidates and Moorhead City Council Ward 1 candidates at the Moorhead Public Library. Moorhead City Council member Lisa Borgen, construction manager Craig Whaley and former Moorhead Mayor Del Rae Williams participated in the mayoral forum. In a Ward 1 forum, only one of three candidates attended the forum: Lotus Center Director Sarah Opitz. Incumbent council member Ryan Nelson and community organizer Dalton Swanson were not present, though Nelson provided a written statement to be read during the forum. Candidates in the Clay County Attorney race, incumbent County Attorney Brian Melton and attorney Amber Gustafson introduced themselves between forums. Moorhead Mayor Candidates introduced themselves before addressing city issues like