Itasca County 2026 Election Guide

Contributed

Incumbent

Age on Election Day: 48

Community: Squaw Lake

Employment: Self-employed/current county commissioner

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

Outside of budgeting my own personal business, the nearly four years of being a commissioner has gained me the experience and knowledge of what it takes and what the commitment of being a county commissioner is. The connections I have gained through our legislators to help get the constituents points across so they too can advocate for us in St. Paul.

Why are you running?

I am running again because the work that I have been committed to isn't done yet. I feel we have gained a lot of ground but there is more ground that needs to be covered. I will continue to fight against nonfunded state mandates that are one of the factors that drive taxes through the roof. It is not sustainable that St. Paul thinks that any county, let alone rural counties, can continue down this path. And as always, continue to be mindful of our budget making dollars stretch as far as we can stretch them while still maintaining services that the county needs. I will continue to work with department heads on restructuring departments where we can to not only be more proficient in the way in every aspect of county government.

Why should voters choose you to advance to the general election?

I feel that I have been transparent through the nearly four years in office which is very important this day in age in government. I have always put the county first including my trip to Washington D.C. where I testified on Capitol Hill and brought attention to this great county and what it offers to the people across the United States. I am passionate about getting new well-paying jobs to come into this county. I am very happy with the work that we have done to get Mesabi Metallics set up to succeed which is going to be a great asset to this county. We have had some very good conversation with privately held companies that are very interested in building facilities in our county. I also have been working hard with our partners on getting our logging industry back on the map in Itasca County.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Ronald Reagan. The fact that he ended the Cold War should be enough, but he restored great confidence in the United States.

What are the three biggest issues your county is facing?

Tax increases, lack of funding for road and bridges and rural ambulance and hospital funding.

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

Tax increases. Continue to push our legislators in St. Paul to fight against nonfunded mandates. Continue to work with our Land Department to sell more of our tax-forfeited land to get it back on the tax roll. Continue to try to find ways to do more with less and continue to explore every grant opportunity that will help the county.

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

Outside of the mandated services that we are mandated to pay, which is a large chunk of our budget, in no particular order would be our roads and bridges and public safety. On the savings side, we need to continue to think outside the box when it comes to how we run departments. Cutting down on the county's footprint by selling buildings and properties that are no longer needed and continuing to work with our great partners to achieve grant funding when we are able.

Rising property taxes are a concern for many Northern Minnesotans. How would you aim to minimize levy increases?
(no response received)

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 65

Community: 64 year resident of Itasca County

Employment: Retired Construction Project Manager of Multi-ti-Million Dollar Projects

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

As a Construction Manager of Multi-Million Dollar Projects over a 38 year career I have extensive experience overseeing a wide range of subcontractors , Overseeing and directing hundreds of employs on multiple projects at the same time , I estimated the cost of these projects to be completed within the time frame that was directed. My estimates were my budgets. I implemented what I needed to complete these projects on time within budget.My experience is very close to a county commissioners duties. You cant get caught focusing on one thing you need a wide range of vision and I have many years of experience with that.

Why are you running?

I don't like the way our taxes are increasing I especially don't like the way they are pressuring the elderly so I want to be that strong voice to try and fix those devastating increases. I feel very strong that I can can recover some of our lost industrial work mainly an OSB plant to the county which would also help rebuild our logging community. Building our Industrial Industry back up will by itself will take allot of tax burden off of Itasca residents.

Why should voters elect you?

I'm a worker a man of my word and I get things done. I have self motivation that's not easily matched and when I start something I finish it I don't give up. You won't hear excuses from me I am use to big dollars , big business and big problems and that is what the county is. The only difference is its your money and I have the experience to make responsible saving decisions with it.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Staying Bi-partisan , our local Sheriff Joe Dasovich, I knew Joe when he was Chief of police in Nashwauk with a budget of almost zero. He was a great role model and a very carrying person of the Community of Nashwauk. He ran for Itasca County Sheriff and was successful . This was a career move 20 times bigger than what Joe was doing and he stepped in not missing a beat no change in personality same down to earth person I've always known. He now treats Itasca County with the same passion he treated Nashwauk with. Itasca county can be grateful in my opinion to have Joe as their Sheriff.

What are the three biggest issues your county is facing?

Property Taxes , Budget over runs ,The lack of Industry and Manufacturing.

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

The lack of Industry . We need an OSB plant in our community more than anything to create Plant jobs , Logging jobs , Construction jobs, Equipment service job Ext.....This also would create relief on our property tax burden another one of the top 3 problems . I've been here for 64 years we've had an OSB plant most of those years it left and it hurt us. You can't fix it by bringing another department store to town the only fix is another OSB Plant. The spin off of jobs is huge and I would make it my priority to bring a Plant Back.

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

My top spending would be to help get an Industrial plant to the County but the spending would not be cash but help with land for a plant and wood for awhile . I have not seen enough of the budget and have not had the opportunity to sit down with department heads to discuss possible savings . The savings I can talk about is the taxes that will be paid by the Industrial plant we bring to the County .

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

First of all bringing back Industrial and Manufacturing to the area and getting their taxes put into the fund will really relieve the tax burden on residents . That's our biggest problem the residents of Itasca county are facing most of the burden relying on tourism and department stores is not working by itself. Some People get scared when I say Industrial , then I remind them our biggest city in Itasca County , Grand Rapids has a Paper Mill built dead center in the middle of town our second biggest City Cohasset has a power plant in it. Industry is not very disruptive the towns tend to grow around them .

Contributed

Incumbent

Age on Election Day: 62

Community: Coleraine

Employment: Retired

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

Retired Postmaster, 49'er and veteran.

Why are you running?

Itasca County and our region have provided me the opportunity to thrive, I believe it's important to work hard to maintain that for everyone.

Why should voters elect you?

I take the responsibility of being a county commissioner seriously and will continue to work tirelessly to make informed, responsible decisions on behalf of all of the residents of Itasca County.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina, Ida leads the IRRR with a clear and steady commitment to fair and equitable support of our region.

What are the three biggest issues your county is facing?

Property taxes, regional economic resilience, supporting our youth, senior citizens and veterans.

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

Regional economic resilience: With economic growth and resilience, several important factors benefit. Industrial growth contributes to our tax base, employment base and economic well being. All of which supports all of the issues we are facing.

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

Controlling operational spending in the county. Making informed responsible decisions regarding major equipment expenses. Liquidating all excess county facilities, returning them to the tax base and eliminating the maintenance, utility and insurance cost to the tax payers.

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

Reduce operational costs, advocate for growing the commercial tax base and continue to advocate for the eliminate fraud and excess spending at the state level.

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 43

Community: Trout lake township (Bovey)

Employment: Paradis inc OTR driver

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

I ran for office in 2022, which gave me firsthand experience with the political process and community engagement. I also completed a year and a half of college coursework in law enforcement before medical issues prevented me from finishing the program.

Additionally, I owned and operated my own trucking business as an OTR driver for five years. During that time, I learned the importance of knowing the area you work in especially when it comes to efficiently managing loads and getting them where they need to go.

Why are you running?

I’m running because we need fiscal responsibility in our area. The Government needs to be smaller and less wasteful. Our Property taxes are out of control, and there’s too much wasteful spending. We also need real economic growth. Right now the median household income for a family of four is $68,603, and for a single person it’s $37,533. Our youth are being forced to move away, and our average age is 46.9 nearly 8 years higher than the state average. As our community gets older, reliance on government support grows, and it’s getting too hard for young families to stay here. We’re forcing them out through high taxes and a lack of policies that support good-paying jobs with benefits. We also need truth and transparency in our local government, and we need to bring the Constitution back into how it operates. That’s what I’m focused on.

Why should voters elect you?

Why should Voters pick me? Because my opponent has been in office for 4 years and raised the property tax levy by over $5 million. The only flat year was 2023, when they used American Rescue Plan funds to cover the increase without raising property taxes. Then came 2.5% in 2024, 3% in 2025, and a 5.16% jump of $2.25 million last year. They also pulled $1 million from reserves to get it to 5.16% making the real increase about 7.2%. Overall the levy is up about 11%, or closer to 13.5% to 14% when you add the federal funds and reserves. Then Elected officials in 2025 that were already making six figures got 4% raises. Everybody deserves to be paid, but we have to live within our means. I stand for smaller government, lower property taxes, real economic growth, and truth and transparency.

Editor’s note: Itasca County’s levy has increased by $3.5 million since John Johnson has been in office. The 2024 budget was the first approved while he was in office. The county attorney and auditor-treasurer both received 4% raises for 2025, and the sheriff and recorder received 6% raises; all four of these elected officials receive six-figure salaries.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

President Ronald Reagan I’d admire his belief that government should work for the people, not the other way around. He also believed in individual freedoms, personal responsibility, fiscal discipline, and creating opportunities for people to succeed through hard work. I also believe government should live within its means, respect taxpayers money, and always protect individual liberties, Benjamin Franklin famously wrote “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” and always stay accountable to the people it serves.

What are the three biggest issues your county is facing?

1- Lack of good-paying jobs and economic opportunity
2- Property taxes that are too high for working families, seniors, and property owners
3- Lack of fiscal accountability and transparency in county government

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

Those three all are big issues facing Itasca County but the out of control property taxes and government spending, lack of quality jobs and economic development, and affordability for our families and seniors.

State mandates place real pressure on county government, but that cannot be excuses for every spending increase. We have to as County leaders prioritize essential services, control costs, and remain accountable to the taxpayers who ultimately pay the bill. We also need meaningful economic development that creates good-paying jobs and gives young people and families a reason to build their futures here. Our seniors should not fear being taxed out of homes they worked their entire lives to own, and young families should not feel forced to leave in search of opportunity.

Itasca County should be a place where our youth can afford to stay, families can prosper, and seniors can afford to remain.

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

Here are some of my top spending priorities would be roads and infrastructure, economic development, and maintaining essential county services at a level taxpayers can afford. Investments should strengthen our communities, by attract businesses, in which create quality jobs, and which would ultimately grow the tax base rather than continually increasing the burden on existing property owners or in other words ls decreasing the overall size of the government.

Here are some of my savings priority would be a comprehensive, department-by-department review (3 party independent audit of all assets) and of county spending. We need to identify administrative overhead, duplication, unnecessary bureaucracy, and spending increases that are not producing measurable value for taxpayers. county leaders must also take responsibility for the decisions within their control.

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

I would approach any levy increases the way families and businesses approach their own budgets by prioritize needs, control costs, and live within our means. We have to ask before asking the taxpayers for more, I feel the county should review spending, look at eliminating unnecessary or duplicative expenses, and by ensure every department is providing measurable value.

The State mandates are a real challenge, but we must clearly separate mandated costs from spending decisions made by us and take responsibility for what we can control. The Long term goal has to be or is a must we must grow our tax base through responsible economic development, private investment, and quality HIGH PAYING jobs. We cannot continually place a greater burden on the same homeowners and businesses year after year. Levy increases should be a last resort, not the automatic answer to rising costs.

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 41

Community: Grand Rapids, Itasca County

Employment: Itasca County Attorney's Office, Assistant Itasca County Attorney

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

I am qualified to be your next Itasca County Attorney due to a balanced perspective that extends beyond a traditional prosecutor's path. I don't come from money, so I had to work blue-collar and retail jobs as a teen and young adult before starting my law career. I understand the everyday challenges facing working families. My hard-earned, practical life experience grounds my work in common sense and accessibility.
I have seen Minnesota’s justice system from all sides. My three years as an Assistant Public Defender and now, as an Assistant County Attorney, allows me unique insights into best practices to prosecuting crime and protecting our community. I don't believe in doing things "the way it's always been done" just because it's easy. I want to do things better whenever possible.

Why are you running?

I am running for Itasca County Attorney to bring a proactive, common-sense approach to our local legal system. I’ve seen our courtrooms from every angle and I know where our system works and where it doesn't.
My priority is two-fold: efficiency and education. As your next county attorney, I will bring swift accountability for offenders without costly, unnecessary delays. I will also educate the community, particularly our kids, about the law and real-world consequences, helping keep us on the right path and out of the justice system.
Itasca County deserves transparent, principled leadership that protects taxpayers, supports law enforcement, and keeps our families safe. I am ready to bring experienced, common-sense justice to our community from day one.

Why should voters elect you?

Itasca County voters deserve a county attorney who will deliver firm, common-sense justice through building positive, collaborative relationships with local law enforcement, the County Sheriff, and other county agencies. I am ready to work hand-in-hand with our officers, deputies, social workers, and county commissioners to make our courtrooms and communities more efficient and accountable.
I'm not going to sit on a high horse. My approach will be listening to neighbors, protecting taxpayer dollars, and focusing on proactive solutions like educating children about the law to stop crime before it starts.
There is a balance that must be obtained between holding individuals accountable and protecting our constitutional rights. This applies from advising county board leadership to keeping our streets safe and everything in between. I will bring experienced, approachable leadership to the office. Together, we can build a safer, more efficient Itasca County.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Rather than pointing to a single famous figure, the public leaders I admire most are those who step up in our local communities to take on tough, often thankless, leadership roles.
It takes genuine courage to put yourself forward. Whether running for local office, serving on a school board, leading a county agency, or stepping up as a union representative, real leadership means stepping out of the crowd, taking responsibility for outcomes, and making difficult decisions in the public eye. I respect anyone who answers that call, subject themselves to public scrutiny, and put in the hard work to improve their community. That willingness to step up, take accountability, and serve others is the foundation of effective public service.

What do you think more people should know about the role of county attorney?

Most people assume the County Attorney is solely a criminal prosecutor, but the role goes far beyond courtroom trials. The County Attorney is the legal advisor to the entire county government to keep operations lawful. Our work also involves civil law along with the protection of vulnerable children and adult.

Which areas of law are you most and least comfortable with?

My core expertise lies in criminal and juvenile law, from petty offenses to felonies. While I am least experienced in land and real estate law, I have the utmost confidence in other attorney's of the office to assist me in research and counsel.

At the beginning of August, a new state law went into effect that no longer allows 10-, 11- and 12-year-old children to be criminally prosecuted in Minnesota. Instead, these children will be redirected to social services. In your opinion, what role should the county attorney’s office play when it comes to youth involvement with the criminal justice system?

The juvenile justice system was made to promote public safety by emphasizing juvenile rehabilitation, individual accountability, and personal growth regardless of the child's age. As County Attorney, I will fulfill this purpose by prosecuting serious offenses to the fullest extent the law allows, expanding statutory diversion programs to help wayward children get back on the right path, and partnering with schools and law enforcement to guide our kids away from crime before it starts.

Contributed

Age on Election Day: I will be 30 years old on Election Day.

Community: I have been an Itasca County resident for my entire life. I recently moved from the Deer River area to the Grand Rapids area of Itasca County.

Employment: I am currently an Assistant County Attorney in the Itasca County Attorney's Office.

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

I attended school in Deer River and at ICC prior to obtaining a BA in psychology and attending Baylor Law School, a Christian university in Texas. I have worked in the Itasca County Attorney's Office for over four years. Prior to that, I worked as an Assistant County Attorney for Beltrami County. I have successfully prosecuted a wide range of criminal cases, from petty misdemeanors to serious felonies. I have also handled juvenile delinquencies, child protection cases, and other civil matters while working as a prosecutor. I am currently the longest serving Assistant County Attorney in the Itasca County Attorney's Office. I have extensive courtroom experience and have a deep understanding of the challenges that the Office faces.

Why are you running?

I am running for Itasca County Attorney because I care deeply about this community and believe my experience has prepared me to lead the office effectively. I believe that as prosecutors, we have a duty to our communities to ensure public safety and hold people accountable for their actions. Our communities deserve a justice system that responds to crime, supports victims, and works every day to keep neighborhoods safe. I want to lead an office that is professional, ethical, and focused on public safety while treating victims, law enforcement, defendants, and the public with fairness and respect.

Why should voters elect you?

If elected, I will bring experience, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to public safety to the Office of Itasca County Attorney. I will use the experience that I have gained to give back to the community that raised me and to ensure that the Office serves the people of Itasca County with fairness, competence, and dedication.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

A public leader that I admire is Dolly Parton. While not a typical public leader, I think Dolly deserves the recognition because she united people through kindness and culture. She encouraged people to follow their dreams, believe in themselves, and to lift up others. Dolly made a lasting impact with her Imagination Library, a program that has donated over 300 million free books to children around the world to encourage a love of reading and learning. She also founded The Dollywood Foundation which provides scholarships to keep students in school. I admire that she took actions to support children and was able to unite people with her kindness, in addition to her musical talents.

What do you think more people should know about the role of county attorney?

I think people should know that the County Attorney and Assistant Attorneys are bound by the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines. This means that we are limited on what sentence can be imposed for crimes.

Which areas of law are you most and least comfortable with?

The areas of law that I am most comfortable with are criminal law and juvenile delinquencies. The area of law I am least comfortable with is tax law.

At the beginning of August, a new state law went into effect that no longer allows 10-, 11- and 12-year-old children to be criminally prosecuted in Minnesota. Instead, these children will be redirected to social services. In your opinion, what role should the county attorney’s office play when it comes to youth involvement with the criminal justice system?

The County Attorney's Office plays an important role when it comes to youth involvement with the criminal justice system. We have the ability to use policies and programs that focus on accountability while increasing positive change and reduce reoffending. The Attorney's Office can assist with connecting juveniles with the resources they need to address behavior, chemical dependency, and mental health, while maintaining accountability.

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 58

Community: Trout Lake township Itasca county

Employment: Circle of life home care - pca, Dennis Barsness property service - office and residential cleaning, lawn care, property maintenance

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

A pastor and elder of a Christian fellowship, former soil and water conservation District supervisor, current vice president of the board for Kootasca community action council, service on finance committee, governance committee, personnel committee, current and former small business owner, knowledge in budget setting, finances, cost and effect matters

Why are you running?

As a civic minded individual it is important that the voters have a candidate that they know and can trust. Someone who will listen and also show proper stewardship over tax payer dollars. A candidate who comes from the people and is for the people. That candidate is me.

Why should voters elect you?

As the best candidate for this position, I offer a lifetime of land and water stewardship from agricultural to logging to personal pleasure and beyond. My focus is not only toward the resources but also the means of financial support required while standing up for the tax paying citizen.

What does conservation and natural resources management mean to you?

It is not only important to show proper stewardship of what we have today but to maintain and improve for future generations along with possibly restoration of past generational use. While ensuring the taxpayer of proper financial management.

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

As a former swcd board member I can step right into work. To bridge a divide between the swcd and our local farmers, to give more voice to our logging industry, to continue the diligent lake preservation and restoration work and ensure taxpayers their tax dollars are being looked after.

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

The swcd should always maintain a respectful and helpful relationship with tribal partners just as they should maintain peaceful relationships with all partners without prejudice.

Contributed

Incumbent

Age on Election Day: 63

Community: Pengilly

Employment: Retired from USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service

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

I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Soil Science from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. I worked for the Natural Resources Conservation Service as a Soil Conservationist for over thirty years. The last eight, I worked in Itasca County as the District Conservationist reporting to the SWCD Board of Supervisors and working alongside their staff. In October 2024 the current Board of Supervisors appointed me to the board to fill a vacancy on the board.

Why are you running?

As a native to Itasca County, my family has long been involved with the Soil and Water Conservation District. I was raised on a beef farm, my Dad served as a SWCD Supervisor, we own lakeshore and agricultural properties that have been improved by using soil and water protecting conservation practices. Promoting wise use of our resources is a part of who I am, serving on the SWCD Board allows me to be a part of educating others on current resource issues in Itasca County and finding solutions to those issues.

Why should voters elect you?

My experience with the Itasca SWCD, the USDA-NRCS and the Minnesota Association of SWCD's has given me a network of like minded individuals with whom I can exchange ideas and solutions to environmental issues facing the landowners of Itasca County. I serve on the Minnesota Association of SWCDs Forestry Committee bringing back information to the Board and Staff on partner activities, and policy and program changes affecting our efforts.

What does conservation and natural resources management mean to you?

The wise use and protection of our resources. Planting, growing and harvesting in ways that limit damage to soil and water resources and provide for continued use of the land. Preventing excellerated erosion along the shores of our lakes and streams. Reviewing the impacts of our land use decisions against the needs of the soil, water, air, plants, animals and humans.

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

The SWCD is finalizing our last two watershed management plans. I want to see the goals within the management plans reached. My role as a SWCD Supervisor is to continue to review staffing needs, ensure our staff have the education and resources they need to effectively and efficiently deliver conservation solutions to the landowners of Itasca County.

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

When our Tribal partners and the SWCD have mutual interest in protecting or improving a resource within the SWCD, then we should partner to implement solutions to protect or improve the identified need.