KAXE contacted every candidate twice using contact information submitted to the Secretary of State's Office to invite them to participate in our Election Guide.
Candidate responses have not been edited and are published as submitted.
As necessary, our news team added contextual information clearly marked with an "editor's note" and in italics, though responses have not been uniformly fact-checked. With our small team of three, we are unable to proactively fact check every statement made by candidates. But 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 only includes candidates in contested races. Visit our full list of who's running for office in Northern Minnesota to see who else is on the ballot.
Mayor
Kevin Russell Hagen
Incumbent: No
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Gary Tibbitts
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: 72
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
Retired
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
I was on the Aitkin City Council and also Mayor for two four year terms.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
Leading the Aitkin City Council in decisions concerning our city.
Why are you running for office?
I feel I have the experience and knowledge to do this job.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific policy goals.
Addressing the aging infrastructure and working toward bringing more industry and housing to our town.
Across the region, renters and owners are struggling to afford housing. If elected, what would you do to address the issues of availability and affordability for your constituents?
Working with developers to bring more affordable housing to this area and making sure proper zoning is in place to encourage more development.
What effective policies will you support that will prepare your city now, next year and in the future to improve resiliency against climate change?
Working with agencies that help to make a better carbon footprint for our area.
High taxation is a concern for many Northern Minnesotans. Please share any specific opinions you hold related to taxation, and how you plan to ensure tax dollars are used efficiently and effectively.
Listening to the people of Aitkin about our needs and making sure we do and take care of them the most efficient way possible.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in government?
By being the most available person to all residents and letting them know how to get ahold of myself. Letting them know where I live and the best way to reach me. Letting them know when we meet and how to be best informed from those meetings.
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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