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.
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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 this race
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.
The mayor presides over city council meetings but only votes in the case of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances and resolutions passed by the council, but that veto can be overridden by six or more council members. The mayor is the ceremonial head of the city, often representing the city before the Legislature and in other official capacities.
Mayor Dale Stainbrook is not running for reelection.
Wendy Ault is running for reelection in the at-large Council race.
Ward 2 contains much of northwest Crookston north of Memorial Drive and Sixth Street, not including the area north of Fisher Avenue and east of University Avenue. Henry Fischer currently represents Ward 2 and is not running for reelection.
Ward 4 covers central Crookston, with the Red Lake River as its southern boundary. Councilor Donald Cavalier 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
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: 31
Employment: Business Owern - The Jeweler
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
Management - Corporate Oversight
Why are you running?
As a local business owner, I understand the challenges and opportunities that come with investing in our community. Every day, I work with residents, support local organizations, and contribute to our local economy. My investment in Crookston goes far beyond my business—my future, my family's future, and my commitment are all here.
As Mayor, my role will be to provide thoughtful oversight, encourage transparency and accountability, and work collaboratively with the City Council and administration to ensure decisions are made in the best interests of our residents. Mayor carries an important responsibility to ask questions, promote responsible governance, and help keep the City's long-term interests at the forefront.
Why should voters elect you?
Trust public ally.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
As a local business owner, I understand the challenges and opportunities that come with investing in our community. Every day, I work with residents, support local organizations, and contribute to our local economy. My investment in Crookston goes far beyond my business—my future, my family's future, and my commitment are all here.
I believe that strong communities are built by people who are willing to invest their time, energy, and resources into making them better. That is why I have chosen to serve and why I am running for Mayor. I want to help ensure that Crookston remains a place where businesses can thrive, families can succeed, and future generations have every opportunity to call this community home.
Together, we can build on our history while preparing Crookston for a strong and sustainable future. I am asking you to secure my place in office.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Political leaders with ethics.
What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?
Vacancy placement in our local governance. Fiscal responsibility and budgeting. Maintaining a critical infrastructure.
Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?
Vacancies placed in our local government leads to weighted local decision making.
What steps, if any, would you take to support or oppose data centers?
I would consider a mortuarium on data centers.
Many Northern Minnesota cities are experiencing tightening budgets. Where would you propose making cuts, if needed?
Staying away from costly projects that don't have a direct return for the city at large.
Age on Election Day: 48
Employment: Grand Forks Grain-Business Development Lead
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
I hold a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Leadership, and I bring more than five years of experience serving on the Crookston City Council. I also served on the Board of Directors for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, representing the interests of communities across Greater Minnesota. These experiences have given me a strong understanding of leadership, public service, collaboration, and the unique challenges and opportunities facing our region.
Why are you running?
I’m running because I believe Crookston needs stronger leadership focused on transparency, integrity and growth. We need clear systems and expectations so councilmembers understand their roles and responsibilities, while ensuring our city administration has the support it needs to serve our community effectively. Most importantly, I want to see us create an environment that encourages economic development, attracts new businesses and investment, and grows our tax base. I believe Crookston has tremendous potential, and I want to help build a stronger foundation for that growth.
Why should voters elect you?
If you want a mayor who will fight for transparency, work to streamline and standardize city processes to strengthen integrity and accountability, advocate for economic growth, and serve as a true public servant, then vote for me, Kristie Jerde in November.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
The mayor is the public face and spokesperson for the city, representing Crookston to residents, businesses, regional partners and state and federal leaders. The mayor also sets the tone for City Council meetings and provides leadership in establishing the priorities and direction of the city. Just as importantly, the mayor has a responsibility to help hold the city administrator accountable for effectively carrying out the policies and priorities established by the council. A strong mayor should foster collaboration, encourage productive discussion, expect accountability, and ensure the city remains focused on serving its residents and moving Crookston forward.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
I have always admired Madeleine Albright for her strength, conviction and dedication to public service. She was a strong advocate who understood the importance of standing up for what she believed was right while still working with others to accomplish meaningful goals. I admire her ability to lead with both determination and diplomacy. Those are qualities I strive to bring to my own public service—being willing to advocate for my community, listen to different perspectives, and remain focused on getting things done for the people I represent.
What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?
My priorities are advancing the Highway 2 corridor project, developing a proactive plan for aging infrastructure, and addressing the future of our public pool. These investments impact Crookston’s safety, economic growth and quality of life. We must pursue funding strategically while remaining responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.
Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?
believe aging infrastructure is one of the biggest challenges facing Crookston, and we need to be much more proactive in addressing it. Rather than waiting until infrastructure fails and becomes an emergency, we need a long-term plan that identifies our priorities and addresses them strategically.
For major infrastructure projects, I would look at responsible bonding options when appropriate. Spreading the cost of large projects over time can help avoid placing an immediate financial burden on the city’s annual budget while allowing us to make the investments our community needs. Any bonding decisions would need to be carefully evaluated to ensure they are financially responsible and sustainable for taxpayers.
We cannot grow our community without investing in the infrastructure that supports it. Good infrastructure is the foundation for economic development, public safety and a strong quality of life.
What steps, if any, would you take to support or oppose data centers?
At this point, I neither support nor oppose a data center. I believe it is important to make an informed decision based on facts rather than assumptions or political pressure. I would want to thoroughly research both the potential benefits and drawbacks, including the economic impact, infrastructure requirements, water and energy use, tax revenue, job creation, and potential costs to the community. Ultimately, I would support a data center only if the return on investment and overall long-term impact are beneficial to Crookston and its residents.
Many Northern Minnesota cities are experiencing tightening budgets. Where would you propose making cuts, if needed?
Before making any cuts, I would take a comprehensive look at the city’s finances to understand where our funding is going and what services and expenditures are truly priorities. I would look for areas where we can improve efficiency, eliminate unnecessary spending, or restructure costs before reducing essential services.
For larger expenses, I would also look at whether costs can be responsibly spread over multiple years rather than placing the entire financial burden on one budget. My goal would be to make strategic, informed decisions that protect essential city services while putting Crookston on a stronger financial footing for the future. We need to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars and make sure our spending reflects the priorities of our community.
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.
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Incumbent
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
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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