KAXE contacted each candidate at least twice to invite them to participate in our Election Guide, using contact information submitted to the Secretary of State's Office.
Candidate responses have not been edited and are published exactly as submitted, including typos and formatting.
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 Election Guide includes contested races in communities with at least 100 people. 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 these races
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.
Commissioner District 1 includes the city of Aitkin and Aitkin Township. Incumbent J. Mark Wedel is running for reelection.
Commissioner District 3 includes the city of McGrath and much of southeastern Aitkin County. Commissioner Travis Leiviska is running for reelection.
The winners of the elections will begin their four-year terms in January.
Click the tabs below to learn more about the candidates
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.
Incumbent
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.
Age on Election Day: N/A
Community: Retired Vice President Operations Raveill Trucking Mcgregor
Employment: Long Lake / Glen Township
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
Currently serve as elected Glen Township Supervisor. Elected in 2024 to the Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative Board of Directors. Legislative Rep / Lobbyist IAM Union AFL /CIO at Northwest Airlines now Delta Airlines 1990-1995. Served as Board Chair of Growth Innovations for 7 years. During my tenure, Growth Innovations expanded support for local businesses through its lending and technical assistance programs, strengthened partnerships with community stakeholders, and advanced initiatives focused on economic growth, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and housing. One of the organization's most significant accomplishments during this period was its partnership in the development of a new 44-unit multifamily housing project in Aitkin with INH Properties, the City of Aitkin and Aitkin County.
Retired VP Ops Raveill Trucking McGregor MN.NWA/Delta MSP Hub Ops Manager. 23yrs.
New York Institute of Technology MBA degree 2009. Honors Graduate
Metro State U BA Degree Business / BA Labor degree
Why are you running?
My focus is working for and representing all residents of District 3 Aitkin County. I felt the need to serve as the voice for our Aitkin County residents. I'm a life-long resident of Minnesota. My wife and I were fortunate to purchase our family lake home from our grandparents thirty-eight years ago. I know the concerns and will continue to listen to all Aitkin County residents. I am currently President of (ACLARA), Aitkin County Lakes and Rivers Association. ACLARA is the voice for over 3500 lake owners in Aitkin County. We must continue to maintain essential public services including senior services, health and human services. As a Township Supervisor I understand the need for safe roads and bridges while remaining mindful of the impact on taxpayers.
Why should voters elect you?
I have an extensive business background at the executive level. I believe that my leadership and business skills will best support all of our residents of Aitkin County and District 3. I will work to represent all residents and businesses in Aitkin County.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
George Washington, first president of the new United States, Lead Military to victory over a well trained and a much better equipped military. His challenges were many. He successfully kept the new states together after the war for independence. Washington gave up absolute power and stepped down after 2 terms. He listened to advise from others and admitted when he made mistakes.
What are the three biggest issues your county is facing?
Keeping our hospital and attracting medical staff. We need housing. We need to attract new business and grow our county responsibly.
Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?
Keeping our hospital, attracting medical staff. Some of our hospital staff are forced to live outside of Aitkin County. Over half of our workforce at Ravell Trucking lived outside of Aitkin County due to lack of housing, Housing is number one factor to recruiting the best work force. We need to attract new business and grow responsible. The key to attract business is housing.
What would be your top spending priorities and savings priorities in the county budget?
Aitkin County does have a large senior population that chose to retire on many of our pristine county lakes. We need to continue to keep our lakes clean and free of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). We are attracting a workforce that can work from home. We need to continue working to expand and fund our WI-FI fiber service. We need to take care of our elderly with expanded senior living facilities. We cannot cut food banks subsidies and transportation. Our Minnesota winters up north are severe and could be fatal to our residents without heat and food. We need to take care of all.
Rising property taxes are a concern for many Northern Minnesotans. How would you aim to minimize levy increases?
I plan to accomplish this goal by :
Effective leadership which requires an understanding of public issues. Collaborating with Aitkin County employees, developing practical, efficient solutions that serve the best interests of our communities.
Lobbying our Minnesota legislators in St. Paul and Washington DC for all residents and cabin owners in Aitkin County. I have years of experience making calls to legislators and lobbying for grants is another way to address the tax and levy issue for our residence.
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/Book covers—publisher websites; Tracy KampaChildren's librarian Tracy Kampa reviews new books by Sophie Blackall, Chelsea Lin Wallace, Steve Sheinkin and Meaghan McIsaac. -
The retired DNR forester gave a walking tour of his forest property as part of a Cass Soil and Water Conservation District forest management event. -
Plus: Aitkin's 68-year-old water tower is demolished; Demuth, Klobuchar will debate in the Brainerd lakes area; and we're partnered with ICTV to host school board forums.
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Stella Mayerhoff/KAXE / Report for AmericaRetired DNR forester Gary Anderson gave a walking tour of his forest property as part of a Cass Soil and Water Conservation District habitat management event.
