Hear from the neighbors, leaders, and community members who are proud to support Don.
Endorsements
“I have known Don Friend professionally for over 20 years working on my part from the city’s perspective of water and stormwater issues. His career at Minnesota State University Mankato specializing in these issues has provided a broad, future focused outlook that will assist in planning for this critical area. His broad knowledge of diverse environmental issues will be a great asset to the city.”
—Mary Fralish, City of Mankato Director of Utilities, Retired
“I have had the pleasure of knowing Don Friend for over twenty years. I wholeheartedly endorse Don for City Council. He is one of the most ethical, hard-working people I know. His collaborative approach will help local government become more transparent, responsive, and focused on a thriving future for all residents. He has opened his home (and heart) to students from all over the world and introduced them to the beauty of a shared Thanksgiving meal with generosity and warmth.”
—Amy Edelstein, Mankato Area Public Schools Teacher
“I have been Don Friend’s neighbor for 23 years. He is a person of integrity, a great listener, and someone who is not intimidated by hard problems needing to be solved. Don is a compassionate citizen of this wonderful community that we are lucky to call home. I am proud to endorse Don Friend for Mankato City Council, Representative from Ward 3. Please join me in supporting Don Friend.”
—Judy Harrington, Mankato
“Don Friend is a beacon of light at a time when headlines and social media drive us into ideological camps. When you talk, he listens. When he talks, you listen with intent. He befriends all with the ease of a human who has comfort in who he has become in his life. Mankato has so much potential and the idea of Don helping guide this city through the next decade makes so much sense.”
—Patrick Feehan, Mankato
“I have lived in Mankato for 10 years and during that time I have come to rely on Don Friend for advice on all things political because he is tuned in, knowledgeable, and willing to share his expertise with me much to my benefit. Thanks, Don, for being so reliable & available. I cannot imagine anyone better to be on our city council.”
—Patricia Anderson, Retired Nurse Practitioner, Age 88!
“Thoughtful, attentive, caring, concerned for the safety and well-being of everyone; these are the first of many attributes that come to mind when I think of what makes Don Friend an excellent candidate for the Mankato City Council.”
—Ben Scheidel, Mankato
“I am pleased to endorse my good friend and neighbor of more than 20 years, Don Friend, for City Council. Don’s distinguished career as a Professor of Geography, along with his knowledge of environmental issues, water resources, and climate change, would bring valuable perspective to our City Council. What impresses me most, however, is not simply his accomplishments, but his character. He is thoughtful, committed, and genuinely interested in making informed decisions that benefit everyone. Although Don’s professional background is different from mine, I have always appreciated the way he listens when we talk about global issues as well as local community issues. He offers thoughtful insight from his own experience, while taking the time to listen to what others in our community are saying and what they need. Don genuinely cares about our community. I believe he would be an outstanding City Council member, and I am proud to support him.”
—Ernest W. Neilsen, USMA
GM, Condux/Tesmec Inc., Retired
“I am so excited to know that Don Friend is running for Mankato City Council! Don is a person with so much to give from deep stores of Knowledge, Curiosity and Compassion.
He truly knows Mankato, and sees it (our people, environment, challenges and successes) through many lenses. For Don - Politics, as well as Geography, are local.”
—Carrie Feehan, Retired
Volunteer with Mayo Clinic Health System - Mankato
Avid YMCA member
“I have known Don Friend for over 20 years, and those of us who have been invited into his home (and there are many—students, colleagues, friends, neighbors) can attest to his generosity, curiosity, and care. Don is a listener. He is an engaged facilitator and a doer, one who collaborates with integrity and sound judgment.”
—Jon Olseth, Community College Instructor, Mankato
“Don Friend would make an outstanding city council member. A longtime Mankato resident, Don is extremely intelligent and articulate with one of the biggest "hearts" I know. He is well educated and truly cares about others. As a city council member, I am confident that he will prudently discern the facts regarding any particular issue and enthusiastically endeavor to do what is best for the continued prosperity of our community and the members within it. He has my vote for city council.”
—Geoff Goellner, University Professor
“Watching MSU professor Don Friend deal with his students, I saw how he obviously cared about their classroom work but didn't stop there!! He cared about how he could help them in their future! As City Council member for Ward 3 that is what he will do, care for Mankato now and its future! Vote Don Friend for City Council for Ward 3 and all of Mankato!”
—John Harrington, Mankato
“As a 30 year Mankato resident and long time colleague and friend of Don Friend, I totally trust his character and dependability. I know Don to be thorough, considerate, fair, and intelligent with his approach to issues. He will be an outstanding and dedicated city council member; we will be lucky to have Don looking out for our city.”
—MaryPat Anderson, MD
“I’ve known Don Friend for 27 years. In the beginning of our friendship, he and his wife Lisa invited me to live with them temporarily while my infant son and I were in between housing. Don is loyal and honest and works ethically in all he does. He lives up to his last name and I’m proud to call him my friend.”
—Shandy Weimert, Mankato
“I have known Don Friend for most of his long-time presence in the Mankato and MSU communities. If elected to the city council, he will approach key issues with intellectual curiosity and the patience needed to make informed decisions. Furthermore, Don will fulfill his role with open-mindedness, empathy, and compassion for those he serves.”
—Bruce Poburka, Retired University Professor
"Don Friend is both intelligent and kind. He's exactly the sort of person one would want in government. He clearly has a good head on his shoulders and the interest of his constituents in mind. His desire to build a strong community has been evident for all the years I've known him."
—Claire Zimprich, Mankato
