Hubbard County 2026 Election Guide

Contributed

Incumbent

Age on Election Day: 60

Community: Park Rapids, Mn

Employment: Radio Broadcast Engineer

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

David De La Hunt was born and raised in Hubbard County. Before joining the County Board, he spent 10 years as a Henrietta Township Supervisor — 8 of them as chairman — learning local government from the ground up. As an electrical engineer and Licensed Professional Engineer, retired status, who owned and operated Normin Broadcasting Corporation for 21 years, he brings a practical, numbers-first approach to county decisions.

David is a licensed Profession Engineer (retired status) and holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from North Dakota State University. His time(8 years) on the County Board has focused on listening to residents, asking tough questions, and making decisions that balance growth with responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources.

Why are you running?

De La Hunt has focused his service on listening to residents, asking tough questions, and making decisions that balance growth with responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources.
While on the County Board, De La Hunt helped lead the transition to a professional county administrative model, supported the adoption of long-term strategic and capital improvement plans, helped establish the County Economic Development Authority.
He has also supported workforce housing and childcare initiatives, helped create the Walker Ambulance District, advocated for the development of Deep Lake Park, and worked with residents to develop balanced short-term rental regulations. In addition, as a member of the Heritage Campus Board, he helped stabilize operations after the COVID-19 pandemic and return them to positive cash flow.
If re-elected, De La Hunt's priorities will include fiscal responsibility, public safety, roads and infrastructure, economic opportunity, and protecting the natural resources and rural character that make Hubbard County unique.

Why should voters elect you?

I understand how government decisions affect businesses, property owners, and taxpayers because I've experienced both sides.
My priorities are clear: protecting your tax dollars through responsible spending, supporting our Sheriff's Office, emergency responders, and public safety, investing in well-maintained roads and infrastructure, encouraging economic growth by supporting local businesses, housing, agriculture, and tourism, and preserving the lakes, forests, and rural way of life that make Hubbard County such a special place to live, work, and raise a family.
I believe in asking tough questions, studying the facts, and making decisions based on what's best for Hubbard County. Many of you know me as someone who is fair, accessible, and willing to speak up when it matters. That's exactly how I have and will continue to serve you.
I'm David De La Hunt. I respectfully ask for your vote on Tuesday, November 3rd. Together, we'll keep Hubbard County moving forward.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio - He provides steadfast and professional leadership during a dangerous time.

What are the three biggest issues your county is facing?

Pressure from State unfunded mandates and regulations that lead to Budget difficulties.

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

Budget - we are working hard to keep the county levy low when costs are being passed on to county government from State and Federal government due to ongoing Minnesota fraud concerns. In addition there has been post pandemic wage pressure.

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

Limit hiring and analyze potential reductions to the major cost drivers in Public Safety and Health and Human Services.

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

A combination of economic growth that grows tax capacity so that the tax burden is spread over more taxpayers along with examining the cost drivers in our budget so that we can explore potential budget limits and/or reductions. Because we have a robust Economic Development Authority that has created growth and opportunity in Hubbard County, we have a tax capacity that is growing faster than our levy. This will help keep taxation stable even with the cost shifts from the state.

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 45

Community:

Employment: City of Park Rapids, Police Officer

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

For the past 22 years, I have proudly served in law enforcement, gaining firsthand experience with local government, public service, leadership, and accountability. I have an Associate Applied Science in Law Enforcement from Alexandria Tech and bachelors degree from NDSU.

Throughout my career, I have continued to invest in my professional development by attending specialized training and earning instructor certifications. I also served as a union steward for more than ten years, representing employees and participating in contract negotiations with city staff. That experience taught me the importance of listening, communicating effectively, negotiating in good faith, and finding responsible solutions to difficult issues.

My public service has given me a strong understanding of how local government operates and, more importantly, the responsibility that comes with serving the public. I believe my experience, education, leadership, and perspective have prepared me to serve the residents of Hubbard County as their County Commissioner.

Why are you running?

I want to give back to this wonderful community and be a strong voice for the people who live here.

Nearly every resident I have spoken with has expressed the same concern—property taxes are becoming increasingly unaffordable. Families, seniors, homeowners, and businesses should not have to wonder how much more they will be asked to pay year after year.

I want to be part of the change. I will listen to residents, question unnecessary spending, and work to keep taxes affordable. I support a property tax cap because I believe taxpayers deserve meaningful protection from continually rising property taxes.

I am running to bring a new voice to the commission—a voice that will stand up for residents, promote responsible spending, and work to make our community an affordable place to live for generations to come.

Why should voters elect you?

I believe County Commissioners should be accountable to the voters they represent. Property taxes have continued to increase, and I do not believe that continuing down the same path is sustainable for the residents of Hubbard County.

My experience allowed me to see different approaches to local government—what works, what doesn’t, and where improvements can be made. It has given me a broader understanding of government operations that I will bring with me to the Hubbard County Commission.

I will ask questions, examine spending decisions, look for efficiencies, and work to ensure residents are receiving value for the taxes they pay. We cannot simply accept increasing taxes and spending as inevitable.

I am running to bring a new perspective, greater accountability, responsible spending, and a stronger voice for the taxpayers of Hubbard County.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

I don’t have one specific person I look up to, but I have always admired people who have worked hard to build something for themselves. I respect those who have faced challenges, put in the time and effort, and earned what they have rather than simply having everything handed to them.

I believe there is tremendous value in earning your own way. Hard work teaches responsibility, perseverance, and appreciation for what you accomplish. Those experiences build character and make success that much more rewarding.

That belief has shaped how I approach both my career and public service: work hard, earn trust, and never take an opportunity for granted.

What are the three biggest issues your county is facing?

Residents are facing long wait times for EMS services.

Increasing property taxes.

Overspending in the sheriffs department budget.

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

The first thing that I would do is ask for a freeze on commissioner salaries so there are no future increases. I would ask to meet with each of the department heads and evaluate what was essential services, possibly what could be cut or reduced. The most important thing is still providing services but at a lower cost.

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

One of my main goals as county commissioner will be to slow the growth of government spending and make sure taxpayers are getting the best value for their money. This means taking a serious look at staffing levels, overtime costs, and how county departments operate.

I believe we should consider a hiring freeze on sheriff’s deputies and evaluate whether current staffing levels are appropriate based on crime rates, calls for service, and the needs of our communities. At the same time, the Sheriff’s Office overtime budget needs greater attention. I believe some of these costs could potentially be reduced through better scheduling, including structuring patrol, training, and other required duties more efficiently within an officer’s annual work schedule.

These are the kinds of practical changes I will look for as commissioner—finding ways to maintain essential public safety services while controlling costs and respecting the taxpayers who fund them.

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

The County Commission has a responsibility to taxpayers to keep increases in the property tax levy to a minimum. As commissioner, I will work to control spending, find efficiencies within county government, and make every effort to reduce the burden on property owners.

I would also support legislation that places reasonable limits on property tax increases and provides greater protection for taxpayers. My opponent does not support this approach. I believe taxpayers deserve a commissioner who understands that continually increasing property taxes is not a sustainable solution.

Government must learn to live within its means, just as families and small businesses are expected to do. Before asking taxpayers for more, we should first make sure we are spending the dollars we already collect responsibly.

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 56

Community: Park Rapids

Employment: Hubbard County Sheriff

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

I have a Criminal Justice Degree from Bemidji State University. I have been a law-enforcement officer in Hubbard County for the past 36 years including the last 16 years as the Hubbard County Sheriff. Public Safety has been my focus and I would like to see that we continue to support the future Sheriffs of Hubbard County.

Why are you running?

To further the priority in Public Safety that Hubbard County has emphasized and to make sure our other departments in county government receive the support they deserve.

Why should voters elect you?

I was born and raised in this county and I worked my entire career here. I have been committed to public safety and have always been able to make tough decisions when they came up. I have always been about accountability as a Sheriff and I will continue that as a Commissioner.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Ronald Reagan. He was the ultimate leader when it came to respect and strength.

What are the three biggest issues your county is facing?

Middle income housing. Good paying jobs. Business growth.

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

The lack of new businesses coming to our county. Hubbard County needs to promote this area for business development and be willing to work with the City of Park Rapids with potential businesses on property taxes and assessments that have historically scared businesses away.

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

We need to continue to support and fund Public Safety. This would include recruitment of future Sheriffs Office staff as well. The current board has been fiscally responsible and I don’t see a current area where there is room to make any substantial cuts within the different county department budgets.

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

Hold the different county department’s spending increases to a minimum. Prioritize there “wants” vs their “needs” and make sure the “needs” are funded while the “wants” need to wait.

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 46

Community: Hubbard County- Laporte

Employment: Hubbard County Sheriff's Office and I am the sergeant in charge of our patrol operations, courthouse supervisor, training coordinator and SWAT Commander

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

I have over 23 years of law enforcement experience. I have been a sergeant, supervising and leading deputies for over 11 years. I have supervised over 60 deputies during my time as a sergeant and field trained over 40 deputies and officers.

• 2025 SWAT Commander of the Year

• Field training officer for 15 years

• Use of Force instructor for 14 years, expert witness

• Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)- Supervisor/Leadership training

• SWAT Team Operator/Leader- 14 years

• Currently SWAT Commander supervising high risk warrant operations and planning

I have conducted over 50 operations in the last 2 years with our swat team, with no officers injured, no suspects injured and we have recovered illegal drugs and over a dozen illegal firearms. During those operations I planned the missions, coordinating a multi-agency response, contingency plans, debriefs and an ongoing evaluation of what training and equipment is needed.

Why are you running?

I am running to keep strong leadership inside the Sheriff's Office and to continue building upon a foundation that I've been working on.

I have helped hire, train and mentor multiple of the deputies that we currently have working for us now. I also hold a supervisory and leadership role within the Sheriff's Office and know how important it is to keep full staffing, well-trained, educated deputies, corrections officer, and dispatchers inside the Sheriff's Office.

I take a lot of pride in the current position our offices in. Due to our strong leadership, training, education and culture inside the office we have been able to maintain near full staffing over the past 12 months. This is very important due to flexibility it gives in the office, being able to maintain a schedule that provides good coverage for all of Hubbard County and having assets needed for emergencies.

Why should voters elect you?

I am the only candidate running that has the training and experience needed to successfully lead and operate the entire Sheriff's Office. There is no field training for a sheriff, they need to be prepared, experienced and ready for the responsibility of being the sheriff on day one.

I was born and raised in Hubbard County. My leadership and my ability to work with other agencies is why I am fully endorsed by the deputies of the Sheriff's Office and 4 sheriffs’.

I know the current tasks we are working on inside the office, what we need to adjust and the direction we are going. I also know the strengths and weaknesses of the employees in the office today and have a plan for what we will be doing in the future.

I will lead the Sheriff's Office with pride, dignity, accountability and respect from day one.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Joko Willink- he is a former Navy SEAL who has served his country proudly. He also prides himself in physical fitness and the art of leadership and teaching leadership. I have found inspiration in his books he has written due to him using real world examples to solve dynamic problems, build on leadership and producing strong teams of people surrounding him.

His teachings of leadership operate through discipline and leaders taking ownership of all problems within their organization. It also works on healthy living routines and producing a strong, positive mindset. I have adopted a lot of these same mindsets and skills in my role as a leader and my multiple teaching facets I have inside the law enforcement community.

What is the biggest challenge facing the sheriff’s office, and how would you address it if elected?

Maintaining staffing would be the first primary challenge. I have been out recruiting at colleges and departments to fill our staffing to its current full staffing capacities. I would want to maintain those recruitment efforts and our staffing levels.

Mental health resources inside of our office for all employees and mental health and chemical health resources for inmates inside the correctional facility would also be a top priority. I am currently working on facilitating resources for both our employees and inmates at this time. I have analyzed any deficiencies we have in the Sheriff's Office and instead of waiting for an election, I am currently working on solving those problems right now. This is the kind of proactive problem solving I will bring to the sheriff position.

Please describe your stance on local law enforcement coordinating with federal immigration authorities.

I feel having good communication with federal agencies like immigration only helps all people involved. The sheriff's office has the best relationship with the community and the people that live in it, so having good communication between the agencies for any operations would only be beneficial. The Hubbard County Sheriff's Office will keep the peace and work with any law enforcement agency that is operating inside the county.

Minnesota law restricts what involvement Minnesota peace officers can have in any federal investigations to include immigration enforcement. Minnesota law enforcement is able to act on arrest warrants issued by a judge. As the sheriff I would maintain good working relationships with all local and federal law enforcement agencies. I am aware that all of them have been sworn to protect and uphold the law and each have different investigative avenues such as immigration, FBI and DEA.

How would you build effective relationships with other agencies and offices, including tribal law enforcement, the state attorney general’s office and other county sheriffs?

I currently have strong working relationships with all of the surrounding counties to Hubbard County. I have regular communication with Cass County, Beltrami County, Becker County and Wadena County Sheriff's Offices right now.

Having these strong working relationships with the surrounding counties is important when in a time of need for personnel, equipment or any other critical incident arises. I would continue to build upon our relationship with local and tribal police departments.

I currently have a strong relationship and regular communication with with the Hubbard County Attorney's Office and our department has multiple cases in the federal court system involving the US Attorney's Office.

I would maintain all these relationships by having regular communication, sharing resources and information and working together to solve any issues that arise.

How would you seek to address the intersection of mental health issues and criminal justice in calls for service and your jail?

I am currently working on bringing more mental health resources into our jail facility. This would provide chemical and mental health avenues for inmates to hopefully leave the facility in a better, more stable and productive position than they arrived in. This will also help reduce recidivism rate in our community.

I am also in the process of coordinating additional mental health/descalation training inside the sheriff's office. This will be something I should be able to have coordinated by the end of the year and we would be cycling all of the patrol deputies and corrections staff through this intense, scenario-based training which works on identifying mental health issues and de-escalating problems that arise at calls for service or with inmates experiencing a mental health crisis.

This also goes into detail on available resources through social services, local health care and veteran services that are available to deputies on patrol.

Age on Election Day: 74

Community: Nevis Township, Hubbard County

Employment: I am a retired farmer.

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

I am currently serving my 5th year as the President of the Middle Crow Wing Lakes Association and as a retired farmer I believe that I bring a unique perpective to the position.

Why are you running?

My wife and I have so much appreciation for our community and our natural resources and I want to help preserve and improve those resources that are so important to Hubbard County.

Why should voters elect you?

My leadership of the Middle Crow Wing Lake Association has included a number of successful initiatives to monitor and prevent AIS infestations and to also prepare the Association to handle any future infestations. That experience along with my long career as a farmer uniquely positions me to serve.

What does conservation and natural resources management mean to you?

It means a committment to clean water, healthy forests, and productive soils.

What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.

My foremost priority would be to increase the visibility of the SWCD as an effective agency for both community initiatives and private landowners to implement conservation efforts.

What do you think the relationship should be between the SWCD and tribal partners?

I have always believed that cooperation and collaborative efforts accomplish great things. It is necessary to incude all views in these efforts in order to be successful. The tribal partners possess unique knowledge and an intimate relationship with our natural world that must be respected.

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.