Lake Shore 2026 Election Guide

Contributed

Incumbent

Age on Election Day: 68

Employment: Semi retired but working in the transportation group at Grandview Lodge

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

BS, 34 year sales career, board member and city council member

Why are you running?

Transparency builds trust and credibility

Why should voters elect you?

Proven team leader, board member, negotiator and family man

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

Provide a safe environment for our residents while ensuring the wants and needs of our residents are heard and met

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Pete Stauber- he shows compassion for the residents of MN and will listen to what serves our resident to the fullest

What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?

Just listening to our residents on what serves them best, providing a safe environment and ensuring we keep all tax increases to a bare minimum

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

Maintaining a sound financial future for our city while working towards keeping taxes in line with residents expectations

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

We would address this issue and discuss it as a city council and possibly have an open forum for residents to view their opinion on this topic

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

We are always looking at our budgets to see where we may be able to make cuts that do not affect the safety of our residents

Contributed

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Evoto

Age on Election Day: 62

Employment: Advanced Care At Home-Owner. Nurse Practitioner

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

Experience: Over 25 years of nonprofit and government experience, including 12 years on the Pequot Lakes School Board, served as board chair, I assisted in developing policy, managing budgets, and assessing the district's fiscal needs. I currently serve on three nonprofit executive boards, roles that require extensive volunteer time, public speaking, clear communication, and careful attention to budgets and financial decisions. For 38 years, I have been a registered nurse, with 27 of those years as a Nurse Practitioner working at the Brainerd VA Clinic.

Education: I earned an Associate of Arts from Brainerd Community College, a bachelor’s degree from Bethel College, a master’s degree from the University of St. Catherine in 1998, and a doctorate from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities in 2012. My doctoral work in process improvement strengthened my skills in public health, policymaking, finance, and data analysis, all of which support effective city council service.

Why are you running?

Lake Shore has been my home for nearly 30 years, and local decisions affect my family, friends, and neighbors. I want to bring my perspective to the city’s short- and long-term planning. As a fiscal conservative, I believe decisions should carefully consider costs to residents while preserving our close-knit community. We own two small businesses in Lake Shore: Harbor Classics Boat Repair and Restoration and Advanced Care at Home. I will bring practical local, small business experience to the council.

Why should voters elect you?

With a perspective shaped by deep local roots and long familiarity with Lake Shore's resort and recreational history, I will focus on responsible taxpayer decisions that fund community needs and serve the greater good. As the city grows, especially through residential development, we must address environmental and financial impacts. My decisions on finances, growth, and development will be grounded and will consider the needs of Lake Shore residents.

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

The city council’s responsibility is to make decisions on behalf of residents with the goal of improving their quality of life. These decisions include local laws, ordinances, public safety, and business matters. One of the most important responsibilities is setting the annual budget, and property taxes. Council members decide how taxpayer dollars are spent and must understand the varied community needs and concerns. The council looks years ahead to set a strategic direction for the city. My role as a city council member is to know my district and understand different perspectives. To do this, I must listen closely to residents, pay attention to their priorities, and make decisions that are for the betterment of the city.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

A local leader I admired was John Poston. Although I did not know him well personally, I knew of his strong commitment to public service. I respected his ability to balance civic responsibilities with his many business ventures while serving as mayor, city council member, and state representative. In 2012, he founded the Outreach Program of Brainerd Lakes, formerly Kids Against Hunger, a humanitarian food-aid organization. Through his efforts, groups such as local 4-H clubs, church youth groups, school groups, and other youth organizations helped pack food, giving local youth a meaningful way to serve others in our community and beyond. Although John died in 2023, his legacy continues through the program he founded, as young people still look forward to packing food and those in need continue to benefit from it.

What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?

Growth: 1.15% annual growth creates challenges: shoreline, environmental, and variance concerns.
Infrastructure: Needed road upgrades, completing the Gull Lake Trail, building a new or improving the existing City Hall.
Economic: High property values mean many owners pay over $3,000 in annual taxes, 5.7% of residents live below the poverty line.

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

Economic Concerns will be my most important issue. I am fiscally conservative; I do not hesitate to question costs. My decisions will focus on needs over wants, carefully weighing costs and how each decision benefits Lake Shore residents.

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

I oppose data centers in our small, tourism-centered community. Lake Shore attracts residents and visitors because of its lakes, natural beauty, peaceful nights, and opportunities for relaxation and recreation. These area characteristics are central to why people visit and choose to live here, and I do not believe a large data center fits the area’s appearance, identity, or tourism-based economy. While data centers have existed in Minnesota since the 1980s, the massive facilities now being proposed are very different, using more energy, water, and overall space. Data centers can bring jobs to the area, but those jobs are normally temporary. Other cities in Minnesota have responded by passing moratoriums on data centers. Although I understand the need, I would not support a data center in this area.

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

Regardless of financial hardship, city financial decisions should be guided by needs over wants. Councils should ask: Do we need it? What will it cost? Are there alternatives? What value will residents receive? When budgets are tight, nonessential projects—such as beautification efforts, optional upgrades, or new building projects—can be postponed, and every budget line item, including personnel costs, should be carefully reviewed. Raising taxes on individuals and businesses should be viewed as the last option to consider.

Incumbent

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.