Ely 2026 Election Guide

Incumbent

Age on Election Day: 57 years old

Employment: Ely Public School District, Elementary Teacher

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

Before taking office as Mayor, I spent 16 years serving on the Ely City Council for four terms, and before that I served on a City Board, giving me a depth of institutional knowledge few can match. I am currently in my second two-year term as Mayor. Throughout my time in elected office, I have also had the privilege of serving in leadership roles with two organizations that advocate directly for cities like ours, the League of Minnesota Cities and the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.

Why are you running?

After 20 years of serving this community, I still wake up every morning thinking about how we can keep making Ely better. That passion doesn't fade; it grows. I raised my four children here, I teach here every day, and my family has been woven into this community for decades. I've built relationships, delivered results, and guided this city through some tough moments. Ely needs a Mayor who is ready from day one, and I am that person.

Why should voters elect you?

Voters should elect me because results matter and my record speaks for itself. I have spent 20 years proving I will show up, fight hard, and deliver for Ely: securing millions in state and federal funding, protecting our Local Government Aid, uniting our council around what is best for this city, and guiding Ely through some of its toughest moments. I have the experience, the connections, and the roots that cannot be replaced overnight. I raised my family here, I teach here, and everything I fight for in St. Paul I come home to every night. Ely deserves steady, experienced leadership, and that is exactly what I will continue to provide.

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

The roles of responsibilities according to our Ely Charter "the mayor presides over council meetings, the mayor is recognized as the head of the city government for all ceremonial purposes, by the courts for the purpose of serving civil process, and by the governor for purposes of martial law."

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Mayor Dave Smiglewski from Granite Fall MN was someone who had a great impact on me from the moment I first met him, shortly after I was elected. He was also an advocate for, Greater MN, the local hometown newpaper, and the importance of education. Smigs was articulate, postitive and always had a way of solving issues, finding the common ground. He was diagnosed with ALS and passed away in 2023. Smigs is still the guiding voice I hear to help me in those intense "Mayor Moments."

What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?

The three biggest issues facing Ely are 1. Economic Recovery and Long Term Development, 2. Housing, Workforce & Demographics 3. Countined Fiscal Responsibility/Accountabiliy

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

Economic Recovery and Long Term Development-I have already been working all summer with state and federal officials, and business owners who lost part of their busiest season. If re-elected, that work contines, pushing for relief funding. Conintuning to support our businesses and workforce, seeing development projects in Ely completed, including the West End development. Ely will emerge from this not just recovered but positioned for long-term growth.

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

Ely is in a position/place where data center would not be an option or financially feasable. We do not have the land for data centers or the infrastructure capacity.

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

Ely has worked hard not to be in this situation. Due to past circumstances, our council and staff are diligent to keep our budget within reason and levy low. If I had to make cuts I would make them in places that would not effect our city workers or services to Ely Residents. I would rely on the experts on staff for guidance and recommendations.

Age on Election Day: 30

Employment: Guest Services - Property Controller

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

My experience in both public service, economic development, and finance have shaped my decision to run for Mayor. Through my professional work, I've worked with businesses in our community to identify challenges, find opportunities, and turn ideas into action. Serving on the Ely City Council has given me firsthand experience with local government and a deeper understanding of the decisions that affect our community every day. I have learned that leadership requires listening to different perspectives, asking difficult questions and working towards solutions. I believe that my professional background and experience on the City Council have prepared me to bring a practical, collaborative approach to the role of Mayor.

Why are you running?

I am running because I love living and being a community member in Ely and believe we have an opportunity to seek public input and be more intentional about Ely's future. Serving on the Ely City Council has shown me both the challenges we face and the incredible potential within our community. I'm not running because I think Ely needs to become something different- I'm running because I want to help protect what makes Ely special while encouraging practical and creative solutions to help our community thrive. I want to bring leaders and future leaders together, encourage open and respectful conversations and help move Ely from reacting to challenges toward planning for the future.

Why should voters elect you?

Votes should choose me because I bring a combination of proven experience, a fresh perspective, and a strong commitment to Ely's future. As a current City Councilor, I have experience working through difficult issues, listening to different perspectives, and making decisions that impact our community. My professional background in economic development has also given me experience helping businesses and communities identify opportunities and turn ideas into action. I believe in open, honest government , responsible investments, creative solutions to challenges like housing, and supporting a strong local economy. Most importantly, I will work to bring people together and ensure Ely is planning - not just reacting- for the future. I am rooted in Ely, focused on tomorrow and ready to lead.

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

The Mayor's role is to be a community leader and professionally represent the city at official functions and events. The Mayor will guide discussions and the decision-making process at Council. The Mayors duty is also to engage residents and local organizations to address community needs and concerns.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Terry Branstad, former Governor of Iowa. Terry approached leadership by focusing on community engagement and communicating with the public regarding decisions. He also had a list of priorities for the state of Iowa and focused achieving those through his connective, community leadership.

What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?

Economic Development, Housing & Communication.

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

They are all very important. I have ideas to address each. For housing, I hope to lower the minimum lot size to build a house within our City ordinance to allow for non conforming lots to acommodate a house, lower the minimum setback while also making sure the distance between houses is safe in the event of fire, and lowering the minimum house size to allow for a smaller house to be built that is within budget constraints.

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

Ely is at the end of the road is not a likely great choice for a data center due to our reliance on energy from far outside of Ely and land available for development in Ely City Limits is minimal. I would make sure that the public is involved in all discussions if one were to be proposed. I currently feel that the data center would not provide the economic impact to individuals to support the investment, meaning, I currently do not believe that sufficient jobs would be created.

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

I would propose making cuts to the Council & Mayor Salaries.

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.

Incumbent

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 37

Employment: Owner and Operator of The Meadows Gallery & Studios in Ely, MN

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

I've spent 11 years at Voyageur Outward Bound School learning how to work within a group, communicate complicated things clearly, and travel hard through difficult situations. My time at VisitEly, our regional tourism bureau, gave me a fast-tracked education in how local and regional politics work together - and where they don't. I opened a small art gallery in Downtown Ely, where I've learned to run a business, stay open year-round, employ people, and write consignment checks to artists every month. I coordinated 16 downtown businesses to stay open late one Thursday a month, which took real trust-building and planning. I also served three years on the City Parks & Recreation Commission, my final year as Chair, helping coordinate a community-wide event at the new Ely Regional Trailhead.

Why are you running?

I'm a community-oriented person. The places I work and the places I recreate all connect me to community and growth, and I've spent years building trust and taking initiative here - from coordinating downtown businesses to serving on the Parks & Rec Commission. I'm proud of what I do in this town, and I want to keep building on community, culture, and trust as we move Ely into the future while respecting our past. I believe Ely needs leadership focused on growth, culture, and quality of life. I trust that our utilities, planning and zoning, and other core functions are genuinely well taken care of - but I want to bring integrity, respect, and a growth mindset to the table, and help steer the bigger-picture decisions about where this town is headed next.

Why should voters elect you?

I bring a track record, not just intentions. I've run a business that stays open year-round, employs people, and supports local artists through monthly consignment payments. I've coordinated 16 downtown businesses around a shared initiative that required real trust-building. I've served three years on the Parks & Rec Commission, including a year as Chair, helping deliver a community event that brought hundreds of people together. And my time at VisitEly taught me how local and regional politics actually function. I'm not running because I think things are broken - I trust our utilities, planning, and zoning are in good hands. I'm running because I believe Ely needs leadership focused on growth, culture, and quality of life, and I'll bring integrity, respect, and a growth mindset to that work

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

Being a City Councilor is about representing the opinions and truths of the people of Ely. The City Council acts as a filter or funnel as projects, initiatives, changes, issues, celebrations come up and it's our duty to think of our constituents when casting our votes. It's our job to think of the past, present, and future of our town.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

I appreciate the former Supreme Court Justice David Souter. He took his role as a judge with intense seriousness - in particular the importance of being non-partisan in decision making. He valued and respected precedent set by past judges and courts and never made decisions in haste.

What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?

Lack of trust and camaraderie, leadership in challenging topics, growth in industry and culture.

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

Lack of trust and camaraderie - I believe we need to charge forward in encouragement and community building within our town. This digital age has perpetuated polarization in topics, and this polarization has crept its way into every day life here in town. We all need to find ways to support each other, get to know each other, spend quality time together. We need to stop relying on digital media to inform us about what we think our neighbors are about. It's time to say hello, show up to events, go bowling together, and rebuild trust.

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

I'd like to initiate cultural conversations and education about the use of technology, social media, internet and how that affects us as people in our minds, bodies, and relationships. Then, draw the connection to how our use of internet/digital technology is attached to data centers. It's important we all understand what we do in our daily life and how we actually relate (if at all) to data center usage. At that point we can have a community conversation around data center opposition or support in our area.

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

Before talking cuts, I want real transparency about where the pressure actually is. I trust that our core services - utilities, planning and zoning, public safety - are being run responsibly, and any changes need to start there, not with assumptions. My instinct as a small business owner is to look first at efficiency: where departments, or even neighboring communities, can share resources rather than duplicate costs, before touching anything that affects residents' daily quality of life. Growth is part of the answer too - a healthier local economy and stronger downtown mean more revenue coming in, which eases the pressure to cut in the first place. If cuts do become necessary, I want them made with the community at the table, not after the fact, and with the basics people rely on protected first.

Contributed

Incumbent

Age on Election Day: 59

Employment: St. Louis County Public Works Building Maintenance Worker

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

I am a union employee trained in building utilities and facilities management. I own and operate a small business in Ely and have 12 years of experience as an Ely City Council member.

Why are you running?

I want to maintain a focus in Ely on upgrading our infrastructure and building a diverse economy.

Why should voters elect you?

I am committed to preserving Ely's Past, Present, and Future.

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

I hope to continue my service on the Budget, Utilities, and Sanitation Committees along with representing Ely on the Ambulance Joint Powers board.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

My brother Mike has continued a long and dedicated time as a public servant. I most admire his service because he maintained his full-time mechanic career during his service to the City of Ely, St. Louis County and the Lake Country Power Board. He never looked at public service as a career, but as duty.

What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?

Outdated infrastructure, Maintaining basic community services (like Hospitals, Schools, Emergency Services, and Public Works), and supporting Economic Diversity

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

Outdated infrastructure, Maintaining basic community services (like Hospitals, Schools, Emergency Services, and Public Works), and supporting Economic Diversity

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

I welcome the opportunity to consider the fit of any industry in Ely.

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

Ely runs a minimal staff and service budget as it is. Our focus must be on building our tax base to prevent the need for cuts.

Contributed

/

Chris Ellerbroek via Lacey Squier

Age on Election Day: 37

Employment: As the manager of Boundary Waters Connect I oversee a weekly educational forum, develop services to welcome and support new Ely area residents, and host professional development programming for local nonprofit and business leaders. I also teach at the Ely Folk School.

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

My career as an educator working for educational institutions and nonprofits has helped me hone my community building and leadership skills. Educational attainment was very important to my grandparents and parents, none of whom were able to participate in higher education. With their encouragement, I attended Gustavus Adolphus College and earned a degree in communication studies. Even though I always loved school, the most important outcome of my college experience was learning how to learn, and how much I love learning. I went on to graduate school and earned a degree in college student personnel: the management of non-academic departments and support services that help college and university students succeed outside the classroom. This background has been profoundly useful to me in my leadership roles in the Ely community.

Why are you running?

I am running for Ely City Council because I am passionate about our town's positive potential. I want to apply my communication, learning, and teaching talents to help address our opportunities and challenges. I am motivated to draw upon well-established regional knowledge and resources to drive a strategic plan to invest in our educational institutions, our housing stock, local communication channels, and the next generation of leaders. (In 2024, the Northland Foundation and Northspan launched a regional assessment to explore underlying factors driving regional prosperity and move Northeast Minnesota toward action. I encourage you to read the report online: www.northspan.org/thriving-rural-communities/).

Why should voters elect you?

After years of volunteerism, nonprofit leadership, and good-old-fashioned showing up, I am ready to officially represent the people of Ely, Minnesota. I have a strong understanding of our history and context, as well as our current challenges and opportunities. I have a vision for how we can improve the lives of our neighbors while also strengthening our economy. I have experience bridging across differences and serving as a diplomat in complex dynamics.

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

Ely City Councilors are responsible for representing the residents of the town in the process of managing the city budget and serving as liaisons between the council and various official city committees, commissions, and boards. The League of Minnesota Cities asserts that successful city council members lead with values, vision, and action. This means investing in meeting facilitation skills, financial literacy, personnel management, managing risk, creating new policies, strategic planning, strong communication, and fostering community engagement. City councilors are also responsible for creating a welcoming environment to all.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

I can't help but think of Dolly Parton. I grew up listening to her music as a child, and became more and more fond of her as I got older and grew into greater awareness of her transcendent leadership and philanthropy. She was an entrepreneur, artist, and person of profound faith. I especially appreciate Dolly's passion for literacy via the Imagination Library.

What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?

In no particular order: shortage of young people and families with school-age children, need for housing innovation to update and increase housing stock, and shrinking access to affordable rural healthcare.

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

If I were elected I would begin by addressing the shortage of families with school-aged children. We are fortunate to be home to several schools and educational institutions. Our community will be stronger and more economically resilient if we can increase enrollment in our schools and increase engagement with and support for our educational institutions.

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

It is unacceptable for elected officials to sign non-disclosure agreements with corporations. Transparency in the process is essential when considering data centers.

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

Our government is already stretched thin. Rather than discussing additional cuts, we should pursue revenue growth without increasing property tax burden. Let's use our problem solving capacities to fortify our budgets and make strategic investments in our community.

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.