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.
Please contact our news team at news@kaxe.org with questions or comments or to report any errors.
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 these races
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 at-large seat represents the entire city. The current at-large council member is Justin Fosso, who is running for reelection.
Ward 2 represents the northwestern portion of the city. Jay Hildenbrand is the current Ward 2 councilor. He is not running for reelection.
The winner of these elections will begin their four-year terms in January.
The mayor has no more voting power than a city councilor. Additional duties include presiding over city council meetings and acting as the ceremonial head of the city, often representing the city before the Legislature and in other official capacities.
The current mayor is Peter Hyduke, who is running for reelection.
The winner of the election will begin their two-year term in January.
Click the tabs below to learn more about the candidates
Age on Election Day: 44
Community: St. Louis
Employment: CEO of Changing Lanes
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
I am knowledgeable about what it takes for this position and believe if given the opportunity o would not let the citizens down.
Why are you running?
I care about our community.
Why should voters choose you to advance to the general election?
I am a female who cares deeply for our community. I care about the past, present time , and future opportunities to make Hibbing a healthy thriving community to live.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
My responsibilities as major would generally include overseeing municipal departments, proposing local budgets, signing legislation into law, and acting as the official community representative during civic events and crisis.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
I have many . Those who are bold and for our people as a whole who aren’t afraid to take a stance in what is right.
What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?
Money deficit and community entertainment for families year around.
Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?
Families, small businesses and economic stability
What steps, if any, would you take to support or oppose data centers, if elected?
Oppose to data centers- not necessary. I could think of countless other items our money could partake in to be utilized so the community as a whole find benefits,
Many Northern Minnesota cities are experiencing tightening budgets. Where would you propose making cuts, if needed?
I would need to see and discover analytics evidence before responding to that statement.
Incumbent
This candidate declined KAXE’s invitations to participate in the Election Guide.
Age on Election Day: 26
Employment: Hibbing Public Utilities, Engineering Department
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
I graduated from Hibbing High School in 2019 and the University of Minnesota in 2023. At both institutions, I was deeply involved with extracurriculars and the campus community. Throughout my education, I was afforded the opportunity to work in leadership roles on various teams that went on to achieve successes beyond what any one individual could accomplish.
Why are you running?
I am running to give the community of Hibbing a fresh perspective on local issues from a historically underrepresented demographic.
Why should voters elect you?
Local elections are at their best when they afford residents the opportunity to make their voices heard. For me, the opportunity to serve as part of a team working to better the lives of a whole community would be an honor and a privilege. I would like to encourage voters to use their rights to the utmost extent; please get out to vote.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
The primary role of a city councilor is advocating for their constituents through passing ordinances, approving a budget, and overseeing the responsible administration of the city.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Not a politician, but a public leader I admire is P.J. Fleck. Regardless of his play-calling and hesitancy to get aggressive on fourth down, Coach Fleck has led the Gophers to consistent success throughout his tenure. More importantly, he runs a program that prioritizes his student-athletes' development as upstanding citizens beyond just great football players. His commitment to the Row the Boat movement, helping develop young adults into great people, and willingness to stand up for what he believes in is an inspiring reminder that we can go a lot further when we all row together.
What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?
I believe three major opportunities for Hibbing's growth are economic development, infrastructure revitalization, and talent retention.
Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?
To me, talent retention is the most important issue to address. There are many incredibly smart, dynamic, and multi-talented individuals that Hibbing produces every year—I graduated with many of them. For too long, these talented people have moved away and Hibbing has been deprived of their gifts. I think it's critical that we get our young people invested in this city and give them the tools they need to make Hibbing a thriving community for generations hence.
What steps, if any, would you take to support or oppose data centers?
My initial stance on the development of data centers in Hibbing is one of skepticism—I am not convinced the benefits of developing a data center in Hibbing would outweigh the potentially hazardous costs.
Many Northern Minnesota cities are experiencing tightening budgets. Where would you propose making cuts, if needed?
I believe a good place to start addressing budgetary concerns would be large capital projects. I think it would be prudent to review each project to make certain that it is addressing a real concern for the community and that the investment will be one that will payoff in the long-term as well.
Incumbent
Age on Election Day: 46
Community: Hibbing, MN
Employment: Delta Air lines - Team Lead and Learning Designer
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
My experience in working to better the community. I am currently in my eighth year of as a Hibbing City Councilor I’ve also been on many boards and services groups like Rotarty International, Hibbing Public Access TV board, Age to Age board, as well as I’m a board member representing the city of Hibbing on Range Association of Municipalities and School.
Why are you running?
My goal is always to make Hibbing a thriving and safe community, but continued growth does not come from focusing on one area. My continued focus is to work on several areas at the same time. Improving safety by creating consolidated safety center and modernizing severe weather alerts, then focusing on housing improvements through supporting HRA projects, apartment developments and increasing buildable lots. Strengthening our community identity by having annual clean up days, updating welcome signs and banners, investing in our City Hall clock tower and supporting downtown arts and culture like the Barn Quilt walk. Continuing to focus on supporting existing businesses and attracting new businesses through the creation of a full time economic developer position to act as a single point of contact.
Why should voters choose you to advance to the general election?
I believe that my continued focus to improve our community is moving our city in the right direction. I truly appreciate my time serving in the council and the opportunity to work on issues that matter to our community. During my time in office my focus has spread to all parts of our community from infrastructure and partnering with the HPU to building community events like Hibbing on Howard to creating opportunities for recreation like bird watching and RC car racing. Looking to the future I am positioning Carey Lake Recreation Area to be the best family campground and a destination for our city. Beyond that I work to support Hibbing regionally and lobby at the state capitol for our needs. Please support my campaign by voting for me in the primary.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
The role of city councilor is to listen to the community and make decisions for what is best for the city. The list of responsibilities is long and includes budgeting, paving road schedules, negotiating contracts, approving hiring, setting the direction of the city, lobbying for Hibbing at a regional and state level, partnering with neighboring city’s, all well making sure that the residents are informed.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
President John F Kennedy would be a leader that I admire. I feel that his vision to move our country forward was inspiring. My favorite quote from JFK is “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.” That is my continued goal, to make a difference in our city.
What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?
1- economic development
2- Infrastructure reinvestment (roads, utilities, storm water/sewer, public buildings, deferred maintenance)
3- reducing budget pressure and levy stability
Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?
We are in a position to grow by leveraging our location and attract manufacturing/industrial jobs that either rely on helium to produce products, add to that attracting manufacture products that are basic every day use that there will always be demand for, like building products. Then ensure that we put the same efforts to support our existing businesses as well. To be successful we need to work on marketing our city to potential companies, utilizing our city economic developer to act as a singe point of contact for sites and support.
What steps, if any, would you take to support or oppose data centers, if elected?
I don’t see any long term benefits to our communities to build data centers. They put stress on our utilities, add little to the existing job market and would take funds from the city and local partners to help build. In the end the life cycle of a data center can end in the city left with an empty building that needs maintenance in the future.
Many Northern Minnesota cities are experiencing tightening budgets. Where would you propose making cuts, if needed?
It’s always tough deciding where to cut without effecting service. First, reviews large purchases ( vehicles, mowers, ect) over the next few years and make a plan to spread purchases over time reducing yearly costs, Then freeze any hiring of open positions that can be. Next focus on limiting levy increases.
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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