Public safety director at MSUM announces bid for Moorhead City Council

MOORHEAD — Ryan Nelson has announced his candidacy for the Moorhead City Council in the First Ward.

The period for filing for a city elected position opens Aug. 2 and closes Aug. 16 at 5 pm.

The general election in Moorhead will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Nelson is director of public safety for Minnesota State University Moorhead. Prior to working at MSUM, he served in law enforcement for more than 20 years, 17 of those years at the Moorhead Police Department.

He held many positions with the police department, including patrol officer, detective, and patrol sergeant.

Nelson moved to Moorhead when he was young and has called Moorhead home for more than 30 years.

His spouse is employed with Moorhead Area Public Schools, and they have two children, one attending Park Christian School and the other attending MSUM.

Besides Nelson, Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson has announced she is also running in the Nov. 8 general election , seeking her first full term as mayor after having been appointed to the position in 2021.

In addition to the mayoral position, one seat each will be up for grabs in each of the city's four wards.

Also on the ballot will be a sales tax proposal to build a new community center and library.