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About this race
The mayor has no more voting power than a city councilor. Additional duties include presiding over city council meetings and acting as the ceremonial head of the city, often representing the city before the Legislature and in other official capacities.
The current mayor is Adam Lantz, who is not 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: 51
Community: Chisholm
Employment: Walmart Supercenter Maintenance Associate
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
I am a 1993 graduate of Chisholm High School. I have an Associates in Arts Degree from Hibbing Community College in Business Administration, earning it in 1996. I also have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Bemidji State University, earning it in 1999. I am involved in the Chisholm Parks, Trails, and Recreation Board. I was the Vice Chairman of the Chisholm Parks, Trails, and Recreation Board.
Why are you running?
I am running because I want to build an inclusive Chisholm. What I mean by an inclusive Chisholm is that everyone who lives in Chisholm would be a part of a community regardless of race, gender, disability, and other protected classes under the law.
Why should voters choose you to advance to the general election?
Voters should choose me to advance to the general election because of my education and having some experience in city government, by being involved currently with the Chisholm Parks, Trails, and Recreation Board. I have previously been on the Chisholm Charitable Gambling Commission. Should I go on to win the mayoral election in November I will do the following: 1. I will work to bring new businesses to Chisholm and create jobs, bring in affordable housing for people to move into Chisholm. 2. Rebuild Chisholm's infrastructure (including streets, sewer, etc.) We must rebuild our infrastructure 3. City Budget–I will fight for a budget that will minimize the levy increases. We must make tough decisions on how money is spent and I will be a good steward of everyone’s tax dollars.
I would also fight to establish a Human Rights Commission within the City of Chisholm.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
As mayor, I would be conducting Chisholm City Council meetings. I would also be representing the City of Chisholm at the Federal, State, and local level of government. The mayor is the head of the city. I would as mayor be casting votes for ordinances, appointing citizens to boards and commissions.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
The late Paul Wellstone. As a United States Senator representing Minnesota, Senator Wellstone recognized that he worked for Minnesotans.
What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?
The three biggest issues are 1. Economic Development and housing. 2. Rebuilding Chisholm's infrastructure 3. City Budget
Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?
For me, it would be economic development and housing. I will work to bring new businesses to Chisholm and create jobs, bring in affordable housing for people to move into Chisholm. We have to get the city's population above 5,000 people by the 2030 census. This would also expand Chisholm's tax base so that the burden isn't all on the people who currently live in Chisholm.
What steps, if any, would you take to support or oppose data centers, if elected?
I know that there has been controversy over data centers because of environmental concerns. If I am elected Mayor of Chisholm, I would be requiring an environmental impact statement before deciding whether or not to support a data center coming into Chisholm. I would like to minimize the environmental impact on water, noise, and so forth.-
Many Northern Minnesota cities are experiencing tightening budgets. Where would you propose making cuts, if needed?
First, I would cut wasteful spending. I would look at every item in the budget and working with the city administrator and city council, determine whether or not Chisholm needs to be spending money on that item. I would do my very best to keep cuts away from the police and fire departments. We must make tough decisions on how money is spent and I will be a good steward of everyone’s tax dollars.
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: 62
Community: Chisholm
Employment: I recently retired after 31 years with Verizon. My last position was as a Sr. Analyst in the Financial Planning and Analysis department.
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
I worked for a large corporation in a total of six different departments. But more importantly, I worked on projects with dozens of departments, each with their own view of the company and their own, sometimes competing goals. I lead monthly calls with upper management to review financials and project results. I also taught taekwondo for 10 years to all age groups. My experience has taught me not only how to communicate knowledge but also to understand other people’s point of view. I help people understand each other’s points of view then we work together to find the solution best for all concerned.
Why are you running?
When I moved to Chisholm, I said I wanted to make meaningful contributions to my adopted community. I recently retired and have been focusing my energy towards that goal. I believe I can work with the city council to help restore our community’s confidence in our city government.
Why should voters choose you to advance to the general election?
Since I did not grow up here, I don’t owe favors or have obligations. I don’t already have opinions on many subjects so I seek input from the community and I frequently ask the experts “why” because “that’s the way we’ve always done it” is sometimes not sufficient in our changing times. I am retired so I have time to devote to the job and a passion for my new/forever hometown. I have the analytical, teambuilding and presentation skills to get the job done and I will approach each issue objectively, applying reason, logic and compassion while staying within the guidelines of our city charter and code of conduct.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
The mayor is the face of the town and the lead facilitator, working with the various departments and groups, both government and civic, to meet the needs of the community and to ensure the future of the town.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Mayor Mike Coffman of Aurora, Co. For months, he has been spending every Friday night sleeping on a cot at the city's homeless shelter then helps serve breakfast the next morning. The better he understands the challenges facing the homeless, the better he can help them.
What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?
Like most communities, infrastructure, housing and economic growth are a major concern.
Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?
Economic growth is needed in order to sufficiently address the other two issues. The city has a 10 year plan already underway. I will help facilitate the work done by the various department heads and community leaders.
What steps, if any, would you take to support or oppose data centers, if elected?
I oppose data centers. I would reach out to the communities that have successfully fought them off to learn what works and what doesn't. I would lead the fight.
Many Northern Minnesota cities are experiencing tightening budgets. Where would you propose making cuts, if needed?
I have not seen the budget so I would have to review it and have many discussions with the department heads. We would work together to find the best solution.
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
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.
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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. -
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