KAXE contacted every candidate up to three times using contact information submitted to the Secretary of State's Office to invite them to participate in our Election Guide.
Candidate responses have not been edited and are published as submitted. Candidates were prohibited from using AI to generate responses.
As necessary, our news team added contextual information clearly marked with an "editor's note" and in italics. We will make every effort to make note of inaccuracies if they come to our attention.
Please contact our news team at news@kaxe.org with questions or comments or to report any errors.
KAXE's Primary Election Guide only includes races where enough candidates filed to trigger a primary. Visit our full list of who's running for office in Northern Minnesota to see who else will be on the ballot in November.
About this race
The county board is responsible for governing its county, including by approving the budget. Generally, counties are responsible for the following: property tax assessment, tax administration, elections, record keeping, transportation, planning and zoning, solid waste management, environment, parks and water management, law enforcement, courts and health and human services.
County Commissioner District 1 includes the city of Aitkin.
The current commissioner is J. Mark Wedel, who is running for reelection.
The top two candidates in the Aug. 11 primary will advance to the November ballot.
Click the tabs below to learn more about the candidates
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: 64
Community: Aitkin
Employment: Retired from Law Enforcement, Currently working part-time for the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office at the Judicial Center
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
Public Service for over 40 years including roles as the Aitkin County Sheriff and the City of Aitkin Chief of Police, Entrepreneur
Why are you running?
I am running for Aitkin County commissioner because I’ve spent my life here, and I care deeply about the people who call this place home. Having lived here my whole life, I understand the challenges residents face — from rising costs to limited access to services — and I believe our county deserves strong, steady leadership that listens and responds.
Why should voters choose you to advance to the general election?
My goal is simple: to bring common‑sense leadership, practical problem‑solving, and a commitment to serving the people who built this community.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Abraham Lincoln, I admire him because he was a unifying force during a time in our country when we were the most fractured.
What are the three biggest issues your county is facing?
Economic development
Providing essential services
Fiscal responsibility
Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?
Fiscal responsibility has to remain at the center of every decision. With limited resources we need to make sure every tax dollar is used wisely. That means careful budgeting, transparent spending, and making sure we’re getting the best value for the money we invest in county operations.
What would be your top spending priorities and savings priorities in the county budget?
My top priorities in the county budget would focus on protecting essential services while being responsible with every tax dollar. In a county with one of the lowest income levels in Minnesota, we have to make sure our spending reflects the real needs of the people who live here.
How should counties best use limited resources to root out potential fraud?
In a County with limited resources, we have to be smart, practical, and focused when it comes to preventing and identifying potential fraud. The goal isn’t to create more bureaucracy — it’s to protect taxpayer dollars and make sure the people who truly need help are getting it.
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Incumbent: Yes
Age on Election Day: N/A
Community: City of Aitkin
Employment: Aitkin County Commissioner
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
Currently serving as Aitkin County Commissioner. Prior experience includes Aitkin City Mayor, Aitkin City Council, Aitkin School Board, Aitkin Municipal Airport Commission, Aitkin Fire Department (28 years), Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Board, Minnesota Board of Teaching. Education includes Aitkin High School, Brainerd Community College and Mankato State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration.
Why are you running?
To put my experience at work for the people of my District and to maintain fiscal integrity and responsible spending for the taxpayers of Aitkin County.
Why should voters choose you to advance to the general election?
Having lived in this District my entire life I can identify with the needs and concerns of the people of this District. Also, I believe my "track record" reflects that I have been very cautious about spending taxpayer dollars.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
President Harry S. Truman who, after the sudden death of FDR abruptly inherited the totality of WW2 along with the "Manhattan Project". Also, and very importantly he would "Say it Like it Is" even if it wasn't always "Politically Correct" !!!!!!!
What are the three biggest issues your county is facing?
1.) Having to deal with the "unfunded mandates" forced on us by the State and Federal Government; 2.) Assuring that affordable healthcare is available to all citizens; 3.) Keeping the tax levy as low as possible.
Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?
Maintaining essential services while being responsible to the taxpayers of Aitkin County.
What would be your top spending priorities and savings priorities in the county budget?
Public Safety, Veteran Services and maintaining safe roads and bridges.
How should counties best use limited resources to root out potential fraud?
Continuing to monitor ALL county expenditures and not be afraid to question any expenditure that is not a direct benefit to the citizens of Aitkin County.
Still have questions for the candidates? Contact information for all those who've filed to run for office can be found at candidates.sos.state.mn.us.
-
Contributed/Lorie ShaullMonths before the midterms, the Trump administration dismantled a bipartisan federal commission that serves local offices that oversee voting. -
Lorie Shaull/Special to KAXEThe library matched the anonymous matching donation for $30,000 it received in June 2026. A larger fundraising goal is aimed at increasing public hours in 2027. -
Contributed/University of Wisconsin-Madison Space Science and Engineering CenterDue to smoke from Boundary Waters wildfires, the MPCA issued air quality alerts for large parts of Minnesota. The alert lasts until at least Friday, July 16, 2026. -
During the Phenology Report for the week of July 14, 2026 Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on blooming basswoods, hawks hunting in harvested fields, and more.
