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.
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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 4 includes part of the city of Baxter and the First Assessment District.
The current commissioner is Rosemary Franzen, 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: 53
Community: Baxter
Employment: The Sowing Room Executive Director
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
Throughout my career, I have worked to build stronger and more connected communities. With over 25 years in community and economic development, most in rural places, I bring experience and energy to serve in this capacity. My path has included working in youth development, higher education, regional government, and nonprofits. I hold a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Currently I serve on the WeARE Board of Directors and have previously served on the Five Wings Arts Council and Brainerd Lakes Pride boards. I am also a Lasagna Love volunteer, past election judge, former member of the Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, and a KAXE volunteer DJ.
Editor's note: Per KAXE policy, volunteers who become legally qualified candidates for public office will not host music programs or other on-air shifts during the election period.
Why are you running?
I believe we are at our best when a wide range of voices, ideas, and experiences are represented in local government. Crow Wing County is growing and changing, and that requires thoughtful, inclusive leadership that understands both the challenges and the opportunities ahead. For a good part of my adult life, I didn’t see myself as a leader because I equated leadership with managing— telling people what to do. Over time, I learned the difference. I’m not interested in being a manager; I’m committed to being a leader. To me, leadership means serving the community, working together, listening to understand, creating solutions that work for everyone, and making sure everyone has a seat at the table.
Why should voters choose you to advance to the general election?
Our systems of decision-making and democracy should be human-centered—not driven by industry or special interests. How do the choices made by leaders and elected officials affect the quality of life for everyone who lives, works, and plays in Crow Wing County?
Are we strengthening our community fabric and removing barriers so all of us can fully participate in the place we call home?
These are the questions I ask myself—and the ones I’ll keep asking if I’m honored to serve as the next Crow Wing County Commissioner for District 4.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Julianna Dodson, Executive Director of the Hannah Grimes Center in Keene, NH. Julianna’s leadership style is welcoming, honest, smart, humble and transparent. She sees the importance of inviting a range of voices to the table to find solutions that improve quality of life for all those who call rural home. Julianna has a way of seeing how our systems and structures can better serve our communities when considering a variety of angles.
What are the three biggest issues your county is facing?
Transparency, Accountability and Representation
Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?
All three are equally important as they are intertwined. Our elected officials need to be transparent in how and why the spending decisions, policies, and county-funded initiatives are being brought forth. They are accountable to our constituents, small businesses, youth, and those closest to the issues but furthest from the decision-making power. And our systems of power must represent the quiet voices as well as those voices we hear loud and clear.
What would be your top spending priorities and savings priorities in the county budget?
Not sure at this time. I believe answers to these types of questions take thoughtful consideration of a variety of factors. If elected, I will work to examine all the information presented, listen to community needs and work with other leaders, elected officials and other partners to ensure we are doing what is best for all those who call Crow Wing County home.
How should counties best use limited resources to root out potential fraud?
Not sure at this time. I believe answers to these types of questions take thoughtful consideration of a variety of factors. If elected, I will work to examine all the information presented, listen to community needs and work with other leaders, elected officials and other partners to ensure we are doing what is best for all those who call Crow Wing County home.
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. -
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.
