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 this race
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 winners of the election 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 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: 64
Employment: Self Employed, artist, at Steve Stratman Studio
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
Former EMT, small business owner.
Why are you running?
To promote transparency, advocate for the city, listen to the citizens and mediate problems or issues.
Why should voters elect you?
Make transparency in city government a priority. Mediate concerns between citizens. Listen to the needs of the people. Collect common sense data for new projects. Maintain city machinery and infrastructure. Foster health and safety.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
Preside over city council meetings. Be an advocate for the city. Sign official documents, etc. Declare local emergencies.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Paul Wellstone. He had a fierce devotion to working families, education and healthcare.
What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?
Health and safety. Local housing. City services management.
Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?
Because of our location, I think that sometimes our town gets a back burner approach to health and safety issues. It's not a fault of local EMS, I just think that more communication with EMS agencies would help us get the support we need more quickly.
What steps, if any, would you take to support or oppose data centers?
There's no place for it in Trommald. For one thing, it's geographically tiny, and although the revenue stream for data centers is substantial, not only is there no room for this type of development, the water and electricity consumption these data centers require would crush our water table and overwhelm the local grid which the region would probably end up paying for.
Many Northern Minnesota cities are experiencing tightening budgets. Where would you propose making cuts, if needed?
Our budget is already fairly flat-lined. I would look at grants that are geared for cities of our size.
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Age on Election Day: 69
Employment: Retired
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
I have 30 plus years of general construction, civil construction, and 20 plus years of construction management experience. Where I have learned the importance of staying within budget, completing projects on time to give the customer a finished product that meets their expectation. My work experience and principles are what I feel I have to offer the city of Trommald.
Why are you running?
I think our community needs to move forward. Consider growth that caters to the outdoor activities happening all around us while keeping the small-town appeal. This means looking at opportunities that attract the right kind of small businesses, while serving visitors and residents alike. I also believe we need to improve our city streets, housing, and public safety.
Why should voters elect you?
I'm not looking to change what makes Trommald special. I will listen to the residents before making decisions and spend tax dollars wisely.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
Work with other council members to represent and talk to city residents regarding their tax dollars, economics, housing, city maintenance, things that matter and don't matter. Basically decisions that strengthen the community.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Trump: He believes in change, he's for the people and entrepreneurship.
What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?
Housing, small business, public safety, street maintenance.
Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?
Small business: Encourage appropriate small business opportunities catering to the surrounding outdoor activities.
What steps, if any, would you take to support or oppose data centers?
I don't know enough about data centers.
Many Northern Minnesota cities are experiencing tightening budgets. Where would you propose making cuts, if needed?
No comment
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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