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 city council is responsible for governing the city, including overseeing administrators, approving a budget and passing city ordinances. Councilors do not have any individual authority and can only exercise power as part of the council.
Joseph White and Jim Lassi are the incumbents for the two seats up for election this year. White is running for reelection, but Lassi is not.
The winners of this election will begin their four-year terms in January.
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 Andrea Zupancich, but she is running for state Senate District 3 and is not running for reelection to mayor.
The winner of this election will begin their two-year term in January.
Click the tabs below to learn more about the candidates
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Age on Election Day: 39
Employment: Work from home as an independent contractor for bookkeeping and also manage my family life and children.
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
My experience comes from both my professional work and my involvement in the community. I work as a bookkeeper, serve as treasurer for the Ely Music Boosters, own and operate a small cottage-food business, and currently serve on the Babbitt Planning Commission. These roles have given me hands-on experience with budgeting, financial responsibility, recordkeeping, local regulations, and working collaboratively with people who may have different perspectives.
I have also regularly attended City Council and Planning Commission meetings, which has helped me better understand how local government operates and how its decisions affect residents and small businesses. I believe my practical experience, willingness to listen, attention to detail, and commitment to transparency and accountability would allow me to serve Babbitt responsibly and thoughtfully.
Why are you running?
I am running because I believe the City Council should represent the residents of Babbitt and make decisions based on what is best for the community—not based on personal relationships or who may benefit financially. The people paying taxes and building their lives here deserve independent leadership, responsible use of public funds, and decisions made openly, fairly, and without favoritism.
Why should voters elect you?
Voters should elect me because I will listen, ask questions, do my research, and consider how every decision affects the people who live and pay taxes here. I am not afraid to speak up, but I am also willing to work with people whose views differ from mine and find common ground. I will bring an independent perspective, practical financial experience, and a commitment to transparency, accountability, and treating every resident fairly.
I also am the demographic that is using all of our services in town. The school, ice arena, library, EMS, police, bike trails, businesses, parks- my whole life is in this town and I just want it to be the best place to live it can be.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
A city councilors job is to listen to the people in the town and vote in a way that reflects what is best for the community and conducive to what the community wants. It’s a councilors job to be informed of the issues- beyond showing up and glancing at a packet- and being transparent with how when and why decisions are made.
It’s the city councils job to make sure the city is functioning well and they have a fiduciary responsibility to make decisions that won’t put burdens on taxpayers while balancing out the essential services that a city needs.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
I admire public leaders that are willing to stand up for what they believe in and what’s right regardless of party lines or friendships. I think a public leader should be unwaivering in their commitment to honestly and transparency.
What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?
I believe most of the unrest I see in our city is because there are big city salaries without very much accountability, a good old boy system in place that is disrespectful to anyone outside of, and our city ordinances are stuck in the 1970s.
Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?
I think all of the issues can be fixed with new faces on the city council, complete transparency, and a willingness to listen to what the people in the town actually want.
What steps, if any, would you take to support or oppose data centers?
I would vote no to a data center.
Many Northern Minnesota cities are experiencing tightening budgets. Where would you propose making cuts, if needed?
I am committed to looking for unnecessary spending in our budget on all levels- however I think essential services like police, fire, ambulance should be protected as much as possible.
I can’t tell you where the excess cuts can come from because the budget isn’t accessible to me but I can tell you that I want to make the budget as accessible and easy to understand for anyone who wants to see it and what my voting priorities will be.
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Age on Election Day: 71
Employment: retired Police Officer/Chief of Police
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
31 yrs on the Babbitt PD , 8 prior years as a City Councilman , Associate Degree in Law Enforcement, 4 yrs U.S. Navy - Honorable Discharge.
Why are you running?
To continue serving the citizens of Babbitt
Why should voters elect you?
I have no private agendas nor personal pet projects.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
To work with the Mayor and City Council governing and overseeing the city of Babbitt.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
I am not sure at this time I admire any.
What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?
economic stability, jobs, overcoming opposition to precious minerals mining.
Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?
Jobs, try to find innovative ways to attract long term employment in our city and area.
What steps, if any, would you take to support or oppose data centers?
I oppose data centers, I would hope that the council as a whole felt this way so that we would have a united front.
Many Northern Minnesota cities are experiencing tightening budgets. Where would you propose making cuts, if needed?
I would rather trim then cut, there is a fine distinction between the two.
Incumbent
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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