Beltrami County 2026 Election Guide

Contributed

Incumbent

Age on Election Day: 58

Community: Bemidji

Employment: Beltrami County Commissioner

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

The past 8 years as a Beltrami County Commissioner have provided me with a tremendous amount of education and experience. I have gained a lot of knowledge about the County's budget, departments, and all of the other boards that are part of the role as Commissioner. Our area's State legislators know me well and work with me to try to get things accomplished at the State level to help Beltrami County.

Why are you running?

I am running again because I want to utilize the knowledge that I've invested in over the past 8 years to help our County through these tough financial times. The unfunded State mandates that are pushed down to our local taxpayers is a huge challenge that requires tough decisions. My record shows that I can make those tough decisions and be as fiscally responsible as possible, while still providing the services that our community needs.

Why should voters elect you?

I apply common sense to our local government. I am easily reached by phone, text, email or in person. I do my best to educate myself about all sides of the issues, listen to constituents, and then make decisions based on logic and common sense. Part of being a Commissioner involves serving on other related boards and committees. I am currently serving as the Chair of several of those boards, Cass Lake Rural Fire Association, Headwaters Regional Development Commission, Blackduck EMS Tri-County Ambulance Board, Headwaters One Watershed One Plan, and Joint Airport Zoning Board to name a few. I feel I have been elected as Chair of these boards and Vice-Chair of others because I study the material prior to meetings, show up, and consistently contribute.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

On this 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation, and having recently seen the movie Young Washington, I'd say that George Washington is a leader that I admire. He was a very driven young man that was guided by self-discipline and strategic clarity. Those qualities are what enabled him to become our first President and one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States of America.

What are the three biggest issues your county is facing?

Unfunded mandates from the State, small tax base, and impoverished community.

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

We need to grow our tax base by getting public property back on the tax roles, increasing housing for all income levels and age groups. Less than 25% of Beltrami County is taxable, so the more we can grow our housing (which studies show we are drastically in need of), the more we can spread the tax burden and ultimately reduce the impact to all residents.

What would be your top spending priorities and savings priorities in the county budget?

We need to focus on limiting spending to necessities and providing required services like public safety and road maintenance. Stretch our tax dollars by applying for grants and matching funds whenever possible to bring State and Federal tax dollars back to our community.

Rising property taxes are a concern for many Northern Minnesotans. How would you aim to minimize levy increases?

Similar answer to the last two questions, by helping Beltrami County to collaborate with the City of Bemidji, Greater Bemidji, and the Beltrami County Housing and Redevelopment Authority to sell public land for housing development to increase our tax base. Limit our spending to essentials as much as possible and apply for State and Federal grants whenever feasible to bring additional dollars to our Community. Another way that we have done this is through our Veterans Office. Our County Veterans Service team has done an excellent job of increasing outreach to our Veterans to get them more and easier access to the benefits that they deserve, which has brought a lot more money into our community!

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 55

Community: I live in Frohn Township, east of Bemidji.

Employment: I am a teacher, and like many in our county, I quilt my living together from several different roles.

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

Frohn Township has been my home since 1995. My Minnesota roots are deep, and lived experience has also given me a broad perspective of the world. As a licensed teacher, I have worked in many educational settings in this region. My late husband and I raised 3 children as we guided people of all ages to learn languages and to become comfortable with the challenge of building community with people of different cultures, backgrounds, and orientations. For more than 35 years of working with the Concordia Language Villages, I have managed tight budgets and recruited and developed amazing teams. I have also grown knowledgeable about public relations, marketing, and property/facilities management. As president of a charter school board, I learned to follow proper procedures and to hold effective meetings. Working with Peacemaker Resources, I developed skills in trauma-informed leadership and supported both in-home and center-based childcare.

Why are you running?

This past spring I worked with a group of preschoolers called the Bears. Whenever we returned to the room from a meal or from playing outside, we said together, "Bears are brave, and Bears are caring." When my community asked me to run for this office, it was clear to me that serving as county commissioner is how I can be brave and caring. I want to take the many layers of grief that I have felt and turn them into positive action. It is time for me to do my shift of the work it takes to keep our county running well.

Why should voters elect you?

My dear neighbors, I will fight and work for you unrelentingly, commit the time, and dedicate my energy to accomplish what need and want as a thriving county.

I will listen carefully to all of my constituents and approach differences of opinion with curiosity and compassion. While I am adept at understanding how parts of a system must work together to function well, I know that it is important to seek and consider the advice of experts. The county board oversees a wide array of services, and I am committed to understanding them all and ensuring each one is functioning at its best. I welcome having my ideas challenged through research and discussion. I dare to work through contention and build connection. Yet my moral backbone keeps me standing firm for justice even when a decision is unpopular.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

I admire Laddie Elwell, founder of the Headwaters Science Center, for her dedication to our community. She made amazing things happen on very small budgets through her inspiring vision, unmatched frugality, and skillful grant writing. She treated all people with dignity, and her integrity never wavered.

What are the three biggest issues your county is facing?

1. The erosion of confidence in our government.

2. Costs are rising, but funds are not.

3. The interrelated issues of lack of economic stability, social disconnection, inadequate mental and physical health care, insufficient childcare and housing, substance abuse, violence, and property crime.

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

The erosion of confidence in our government is the greatest issue facing the county. Taxpayers need to see that their hard-earned money is not squandered. We need to know that our elections are safe, fair, and that they matter. Residents must experience that public safety is actually ensuring the safety of the public. Transparency and clear communication are both vital in rebuilding this trust. A county commissioner is a nonpartisan position. Their duty is to represent everyone in their district. When a voter’s voice is heard, it encourages them to continue to engage in our government. This is necessary for a healthy democracy. I aim to alleviate fears so that good solutions can be implemented through clear thinking. This will ensure that our community thrives.

What would be your top spending priorities and savings priorities in the county budget?

A budget is an expression of moral values. If the economic and political factors continue on their current path, it appears that the responsibilities of the county will cost more and that funding will be less available. It will be more important than ever to remain focused on the long term. Especially when money is tight, we cannot afford to neglect the things that support our quality of life. Human services and public safety are the biggest part of the budget. As a lifelong teacher, I know how early support and a sense of belonging in a community can prevent complications from becoming big, expensive problems.

Rising property taxes are a concern for many Northern Minnesotans. How would you aim to minimize levy increases?

With the majority of the land in Beltrami County not on the tax rolls, our property tax burden is high. The anticipated continuation of shifting costs from the federal and state governments to local governments will make this even more challenging. This makes careful oversight of county spending critical. In addition, I would ensure that all departments in the county are skillfully seeking grant-in-aid and other funding sources.