Crow Wing County 2026 Election Guide

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 41

Community:

Employment: Minnesota Department of Transportation, Principal Planner

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

Tad has over a decade’s worth of experience working with county commissioners, county departments and staff on a wide range of county issues. As a City Councilman Tad demonstrated competence and fiscal responsibility. Aside from serving locally, Councilman Erickson is a Planner for the State Highway Department.

Why are you running?

I've always felt a strong commitment to public service and serving our local community. I’m looking forward to continuing to represent Brainerd residents in this new capacity and for the opportunity to do the same for Baxter residents as Commissioner for Crow Wing County District 3.

Why should voters elect you?

The primary role of a County Commissioner is to represent residents - the people. I particularly enjoy talking with residents, and business owners - hearing their ideas, challenges and concerns and working with staff, residents, and volunteers to develop practical solutions that serve the needs of the community; while keeping property taxes low and maintaining the best possible levels of safety and public service.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

My Father worked as a dedicated public servant for a neighboring county for 40 years. The lessons of service, hard work, and selflessness that he taught me are things I try to exemplify in my own life, as a husband, father, professional, and public leader. I particularly recall his ability to patiently and compassionately communicate the reasoning behind various State and County public policies. The outcome usually, (not always) involved that resident walking away shaking his hand, feeling heard, and with a greater understanding and appreciation for the county, county employees and the residents being served.

What are the three biggest issues your county is facing?

1. Ensuring Public Safety.
2. Commitment to Maintain Low Property Taxes.
3. Commitment to Land and Water Resources Stewardship.

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

I believe that ensuring public safety is the primary purpose of government. The county plays a huge role in the following areas Public Health, Emergency Management, and Law Enforcement through the County Sherriff's Office, Jail and the Judicial Center. I plan to ensure public safety by:
1. NOT defunding the Sherriff's Office.
2. By prioritizing Law Enforcement, Emergency Management and Public Health, not repurposing the department for other social purposes.
3. By demonstrating respect and gratitude for law enforcement and emergency services.

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

My top spending priorities include ensuring public safety through law enforcement and emergency management, a commitment to land and water resource stewardship and prioritizing the counties infrastructure and resources such as our highways, bridges, trails, solid-waste and forestry management.

My top savings priorities are to protect taxpayer dollars from the continued pressure of groups, and non-profits seeking public funding. Our community is incredibly blessed to have a host of wonderful non-profit organizations, but I've stated publicly before, and still feel strongly that providing non-profits with taxpayer funds is not an appropriate use of public funds because it is not fair to other non-profits or businesses who are struggling to raise their own funds.

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

I will continue to demonstrate my commitment to maintain low property taxes through strategies in three broad categories: 1. By supporting pro-growth policies that broaden the counties tax base and grow the local economy. 2. Further, by identifying practical long-term solutions to reduce county expenditures when possible. 3. Lastly, by working with fellow board members, county staff, and county committees to relieve businesses, residents and property owners from unnecessary overregulation.

Website: jessicatabatt.com

Age on Election Day: 41

Community: Baxter, MN

Employment: Podiatrist, not currently in practice

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

As a physician I developed many skills that will translate directly to local government including critical thinking, attention to detail, and sound decision-making under pressure. I am analytical when evaluating budgets, priorities, and policies. I value efficiency and accountability. Daily interactions with patients and staff fostered effective communication, empathy, and ethical leadership. Listening to people and working together are essential to making good decisions and serving the community effectively. As department head and hospital Chief of Staff, I collaborated with teams to provide essential services, manage resources, and solve complex problems. Governing a medical body is what sparked my interest in government of the public sector.

Why are you running?

I have a passion for public service and a genuine desire to do the job of a County Commissioner. I want to use my professional experience to represent local residents, make practical and informed decisions, and help ensure county government operates effectively and transparently. I take pride in improving services and systems. I'm running because I care deeply about our community and want to help keep Crow Wing County a healthy, safe, and thriving place to live, work, and raise a family.

Why should voters elect you?

I have strong leadership skills to provide good governance and the desire to do so effectively and transparently. I have the social skills and empathy needed to ensure our residents' concerns are heard and acted upon. I am able to make tough decisions when there is no right answer. I support continuous improvement processes to move the county forward in an everchanging economy. I feel strongly in favor of non-partisanship and collaboration in order to make the best decisions possible for our county.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Sandra Day O’Connor. I admire her dedication to both her family and work as she, despite adversity, rose to become the first woman to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court justice. I appreciate her case-by-case approach and ability to side with either the conservative or liberal members when warranted. “Unfortunately civility is hard to codify or legislate, but you know it when you see it. It’s possible to disagree without being disagreeable.” – Sandra Day O’Connor

What are the three biggest issues your county is facing?

Continued levy increases in order to maintain staffing and programming.
Unfunded State mandates have been a significant contributing factor to levy increases.
Mental health challenges continue to rise in the community.

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

Mental illness and mental health emergencies have a significant ripple effect on our community. Untreated mental illness contributes to emotional suffering, a decrease in physical health, damaged relationships and isolation, job loss and permanent disability, homelessness, and addictions.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about 1 in 4 of the adult population experienced mental illness in the past year while 1 in 20 adults experienced severe mental illness. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in people aged 10-24.
I will advocate for investing in effective prevention programs, treatment resources, and first-response services. These public health tools are essential to addressing mental health emergencies in our community. Promoting affordable housing and employment services supplements these efforts.

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

I believe public safety and public health are the pillars of a strong community and would continue to prioritize these efforts in the budget. I would work on saving money in the budget by reevaluating the need for non-core services every year.

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

I know our county staff have repeatedly gone through their department budgets in order to cut unnecessary spending. Unfortunately, it seems the commissioners are to the point of making some tough choices and cuts in order to continue to minimize levy increases. I am prepared to evaluate the entire budget and make these tough choices, including reevaluating the benefits package of county commissioners.

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 53

Community: Baxter

Employment: The Sowing Room, Executive Director

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

Throughout my career, I have worked to build stronger and more connected communities. With over 25 years in community and economic development, most in rural places, I bring experience and energy to serve in this capacity. My path has included working in youth development, higher education, regional government, and nonprofits. I hold a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Currently I serve on the WeARE Board of Directors and have previously served on the Five Wings Arts Council and Brainerd Lakes Pride boards. I am also a Lasagna Love volunteer, past election judge, former member of the Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, and a KAXE volunteer DJ.

Why are you running?

I am running for three reasons.

First, representation matters. We need broader perspectives and more inclusive leadership if we want to build a county where everyone has the chance to live a good life.

Second, it is time for new leadership. After nearly 20 years, I believe it is time to turn the page and make room for a new generation to help shape the future.

Third, we need to care for both people and place. I want to build a county where collaboration, connection, and community matter more than anger and division, and where every person is treated with dignity.

Why should voters elect you?

At the heart of this campaign is a simple belief: I am here to serve the people, not the power. I am not running for a title. I am running to listen well, work hard, and help build a county government that is open, grounded, and focused on the everyday lives of the people it serves.

I believe Crow Wing County can be a place where more people feel seen, heard, and included. A place where leadership is thoughtful but not distant, firm but not divisive, and hopeful about what we can build together.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Julianna Dodson, Executive Director of the Hannah Grimes Center in Keene, NH.
Julianna’s leadership style is welcoming, honest, smart, humble and transparent. She sees the importance of inviting a range of voices to the table to find solutions that improve quality of life for all those who call rural home. Julianna has a way of seeing how our systems and structures can better serve our communities when considering a variety of angles.

What are the three biggest issues your county is facing?

Transparency, Accountability and Representation

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

All three are equally important as they are intertwined. Our elected officials need to be transparent in how and why the spending decisions, policies, and county-funded initiatives are being brought forth. They are accountable to our constituents, small businesses, youth, and those closest to the issues but furthest from the decision-making power. And our systems of power must represent the quiet voices as well as those voices we hear loud and clear.

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

Not sure at this time. I believe answers to these types of questions take thoughtful consideration of a variety of factors. If elected, I will work to examine all the information presented, listen to community needs and work with other leaders, elected officials and other partners to ensure we are doing what is best for all those who call Crow Wing County home.

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

Not sure at this time. I believe answers to these types of questions take thoughtful consideration of a variety of factors. If elected, I will work to examine all the information presented, listen to community needs and work with other leaders, elected officials and other partners to ensure we are doing what is best for all those who call Crow Wing County home.

Incumbent

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.