Aitkin 2026 Election Guide

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 33

Employment: Currently focused on continuing my education at CLC

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

My volunteer work, I'm a lifelong problem solver.

Why are you running?

To represent our young families, our workforce development, and to help improve school infrastructure.

Why should voters elect you?

I have made this town my home after my honorable discharge from the U.S Army infantry in 2015. Ever since I've grown with this community. I desire to keep local and to support our school education. Ensure our families can receive a thriving community.

Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.

allocating funds for public services, modifying zoning laws to control our development, property use, and community. representing our constituents.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Nelson Mandela, He knew that one person could be the catalyst for change.

What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?

Higher property taxes, Our school infrastructure, Public safety.

Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?

Our school infrastructure, Allocating and fundraising so that our taxpayers don't Suffer in the process.

What steps, if any, would you take to support or oppose data centers?

Use memorandums opposing data centers. Conditional use permits that force developers to pay for some local infrastructure upgrades, limit water and power.

Many Northern Minnesota cities are experiencing tightening budgets. Where would you propose making cuts, if needed?

Support state legislative changes that let local governments opt out of state-mandated programs or benefit mandates. Scale back on some Non-mandated services.

Contributed

Incumbent

Age on Election Day: 53

Employment: Aitkin Public School District, Special Education Teacher

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

I have served on Aitkin's City Council for 13 years (non-consecutive).

Why are you running?

I am running for city council because I believe I possess the attributes of an effective leader. Over the years, I have focused on what I believe is best for the community, rather than on any personal interests. I think beyond the immediate problem and look towards the future. I am approachable. I make people feel comfortable when they bring forth questions, concerns, and ideas. I treat city staff, other elected officials, and residents with respect even in times of disagreement. I take responsibility for decisions as well as my mistakes. I listen to ideas that differ from my own when I am considering solutions to problems. And finally, I am consistent, transparent, and dependable.

Why should voters elect you?

Voters should elect me because I am intelligent and open-minded. I believe in common sense solutions. I have a long history of fighting for the property owners of Aitkin to keep their taxes low while maintaining services that our city workers provide.

Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.

A city council member has a great deal of responsibilities. First and foremost, a member of the city council has to be prepared for council meetings. He or she does this by reviewing information, asking questions, participating in discussions, and voting on matters before the council. Second, council member’s need to represent residents. They do so by attending community events, meeting with residents and being approachable. Perhaps one of the most important responsibilities is to oversee the spending of tax payer dollars on roads, parks, other infrastructure, public safety and other city services. A council member also needs to be planning for the future and planning for the city’s long term needs. And finally, once dollars are spent, a council member needs to ask questions that provide accountability.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

A public leader I admire Is former city council member Scott Sherman. I served with Scott during my first term on the city council. He modeled fiscal responsibility and accountability. He believed in doing what was best for the city of Aitkin and its residents while honoring the work of city staff.

What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?

The biggest issue that the city of Aitkin faces is rising costs with a limited tax base. Second, aging infrastructure. Third and finally, a lack of economic development in our downtown and industrial park.

Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?

The issue that is the most important to me is addressing the rising costs of doing city business with a limited tax base. I will continue to work with department heads to prioritize needs and limit spending. Second, I will encourage city administrative staff to further their use of state, federal, county, and private grants to help pay for infrastructure, parks, economic development, public safety, and other projects. And finally, I will continue to advocate for annexation by squaring up the city limits. This will increase our tax base without incurring additional costs because city services are already being provided to these properties.

What steps, if any, would you take to support or oppose data centers?

I would meet with impacted invidual business and property owners to make a common sense decision.

Many Northern Minnesota cities are experiencing tightening budgets. Where would you propose making cuts, if needed?

Over the last four years, I have worked with city administrators to make these very cuts. At this point, any further cuts would result in significantly reduced services to residents which I am against.

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 57

Employment: Eyecare center of Aitkin, optician

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

I have previously served on the city council. I stay update with what is going on in the city.

Why are you running?

Be able to share my knowledge of city government.

Why should voters elect you?

With previous knowledge of how the city operates. I am able to communicate with the citizens of Aitkin what is happening in the city.

Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.

City Councilperson needs to have financial management skills to oversee daily operations of the city, including budgeting, tax levies and audit reviews. Knowledge of legislative and policy changes so the city can make the proper updates to ordinances and resolutions.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

There is not just one person I admire as public leader. If one person comes forward to help change and move government forward, those are the people I admire.

What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?

Taxes, lack of affordable housing, and employment opportunities

Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?

All of the issues need to be addressed. Lack of affordable housing has been at the top of list for some time. Finding grants to help contactors and landlord repair old homes.

What steps, if any, would you take to support or oppose data centers?

Data centers are hot topics right now. I do not oppose nor do support them without further information or investigation if any would be good fit for Aitkin or even Aitkin County.

Many Northern Minnesota cities are experiencing tightening budgets. Where would you propose making cuts, if needed?

Without a complete review of the city budget, there is no good answer.

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 37

Employment: Care-taker, Carpentry, Headstone Cleaning and Restoration

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

Aitkin High School and University of Minnesota College Graduate. Housing management/development. Volunteer/senior services.

Why are you running?

The importance of civic duty has been impressed upon me since childhood, and I feel that City Council is a good place to begin, with what I hope will be a lifelong journey. I believe local elections are reflective of how we would like to see our state elections run, and at a local level, I can vocalize and represent my neighbors diligently and directly. I am eager to serve my community in a capacity that allows voices to have positive, tangible effects.

Why should voters elect you?

I deeply value my neighbors and community. I understand our daily struggles within the town, and I would like to have input into ensuring that our spending of public monies is in accordance with a budget that does not put undue burden on our local businesses and homeowners. Affordable housing availability is an issue I find particularly troubling and have high on my personal agenda. I have the time, vigor, and fresh perspective to advocate for everyone in our town. We all are Aitkin and we all deserve to be heard.

Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.

I believe a City Council member has the responsibility to set budget and policy that does not adversely affect local businesses and homeowners, but fosters a community that can thrive. We help pass local laws and regulations that benefit the community as a whole and help create a welcoming neighborhood for members and businesses alike. I'd like to see policy set that attracts people to our town to bolster our local revenue and create a welcoming environment for businesses to invest in.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

I don't put any public leader on a pedestal. I think we need to see them as Public Servants. We are here to serve at the call of our neighbors and represent the will of the people. I find the action of servitude quite admirable.

What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?

Cost of living, public housing and continuing to support local businesses that we rely on for revenue. I want to continually ensure that our Fire, Police, Street and Utilities Departments are supported adequately as they all bring a great service to our town.

Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?

Cost of living. I think an undue burden has been cast on businesses and homeowners to enact policies that do not always reflect our actual needs as a community. I would like to have better input to create a budget that serves our residents in a multitude of ways.

What steps, if any, would you take to support or oppose data centers?

I vehemently oppose any data centers whatsoever. I will take all steps at my disposal to deter any data centers in our area. I will always vote 'NO' on any policy in that regard.

Many Northern Minnesota cities are experiencing tightening budgets. Where would you propose making cuts, if needed?

Spending. If locals are expected to "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" amid soaring gas, grocery, tax and utility costs, then the city can create avenues of relief for our citizens. The solution is NOT raising property taxes on locals annually. We can create fiscally responsible solutions that benefit our community. I think we need to create more dialogue around expanding our tax base. I will listen to what my neighbors' needs are and find a way to represent everyone who needs an advocate.