Biwabik 2026 Election Guide

Contributed

Incumbent? No

Age on Election Day: 34

Employment: Biwabik Pizza Co. Owner/Operator

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

Currently, I serve on the Biwabik Area Civic Association board and stay actively involved in our community. In previous communities, I have served on Housing and Redevelopment Authority and Planning and Zoning boards, giving me experience with local government, development, housing and land-use issues. As a local business and property owner in Biwabik, I also have firsthand experience with the opportunities and challenges facing our community.

That combination of public service, community involvement and local investment has helped prepare me to serve on the City Council.

Why are you running?

I am running because I want to help ensure Biwabik continues to be a place where people want to live, raise families and get involved. Not many communities still have that “Hallmark” feel, but Biwabik does. We are fortunate to have a town filled with volunteers, caring neighbors and people who genuinely want to see our community succeed.

As both a resident and local business owner, I share many of the same concerns as others, including taxes, cost of living and responsible management of city funds. Biwabik has made progress in these areas, and I want to do my part to help continue that progress. I believe it is simply my time to step up, get involved and help keep Biwabik moving forward.

Why should voters elect you?

Voters should elect me if they want a city councilor who will listen, be approachable and work hard to keep our community moving forward. I am fortunate to be running alongside two other individuals who also bring strong qualifications and dedication to Biwabik.

What I bring is a unique perspective as both a resident and local business owner. I understand many of the concerns facing our community from both sides and believe that perspective can be valuable when making decisions about Biwabik’s future.

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

The City Council is responsible for representing the community as a whole and making thoughtful decisions about how the city operates, uses taxpayer dollars and plans for the future. In a town of around 1,000 residents, I believe everyone should have a voice in how our community operates and grows. A councilor should listen to residents, ask questions, work with city staff and fellow council members, and make decisions based on what is best for Biwabik as a whole.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

One public leader I have always admired is the late Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone. His quote, “We all do better when we all do better,” has always resonated with me and reflects how I try to approach life and community.

I was fairly young during his time in the U.S. Senate, but I remember him as someone who consistently worked to improve the lives of others and move things forward for everyone, not just a select few. I believe that kind of mindset, caring about the success and well-being of the whole community, can have a lasting and positive impact.

What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?

I would say the three biggest issues Biwabik is facing are stabilizing taxes, updating aging infrastructure and creating opportunities for more residential housing. All three are connected to keeping Biwabik affordable, sustainable and attractive for current residents while also allowing our community to grow.

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

Of the three issues I mentioned, stabilizing taxes is the most important to me. Biwabik needs to continue working to keep property taxes affordable while making sure the cost of providing city services is shared fairly across the community. If elected, I would focus on responsible budgeting, careful review of spending and looking for ways to grow the tax base so we are not simply placing more burden on existing residents.

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

I am not aware of any current proposals to locate a data center within Biwabik, and our city’s size and footprint may make that unlikely. However, as with any business interested in investing in our community, I would want to review the proposal carefully and understand both the benefits and potential impacts.

Data centers are a complicated issue, but they also serve a growing need. If a proposal could safely bring new tax revenue to Biwabik, help reduce the burden on residents and fit responsibly within our community, I believe it would be worth considering.

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

Anyone who regularly attends Biwabik City Council meetings knows that keeping the budget under control is already a major priority. There always has to be a balance between what the city needs, what the community would like to see and what taxpayers can reasonably afford.

Rather than naming a specific service to cut without knowing the circumstances, I believe the city should continually review spending, look for efficiencies and eliminate unnecessary costs wherever possible. The goal should be to save money and reduce waste without sacrificing the quality of essential city services.

Incumbent? Yes

Age on Election Day: 77

Employment: Retired

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

I have been involved with the Biwabik community for a number of years. I was on the Planning and Zoning Committee, City Council member, Charter Commission, and Mayor (for one term).
As for my education, I have a Master's Degree in Psychology. I have worked with people for 20 years and it has taught me to listen and be receptive of other people's views.

Why are you running?

I am running for the council because I love Biwabik. I raised my family here and my husband and I have continued to live here for a total pf 50 years. I enjoy being on the council and I have an interest in what is happening in Biwabik.

Why should voters elect you?

I think voters should vote for me because I have experience in city offices and I care what happens in Biwabik. I also answer citizens questions and if I don't know the answer, I find the answer and return to the citizen in a timely manner.

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

The role of a city council member is to represent the citizens of Biwabik. The responsibilities of a city council member are to be informed of the issues that Biwabik is facing and to do added research if need be so that I can make an informed decision..

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

I respected Ronald Reagan as President. He revitalized the American economy thorough tax cuts; He built a strong military. and brought an end to the cold war. He wasn't afraid to stand up for what he believed in, and he had a good sense of humor.

What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?

The four biggest issues our city is facing is the budget, economic development, and blight,

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

Out of the three issues that are most important is economic development. By bringing in businesses it will help our community grow and bring in income which will aid in the budget.

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

I would do research on data centers before I decided if I supported them or not..

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

I have always been concerned about the budget of Biwabik. We have a budget committee which gives recommendations to the council. I feel free to ask questions about the budget so I can make an informed decision. The departments I oversee - campground and cemetery- I make sure with the other committee members we are within the budget of those two entities.

Incumbent

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.