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.
Julieanne Emerson
Incumbent: Yes
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Ryan M. Leonzal
Incumbent: Yes
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Ben Nilsen
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: 53
City/Township of residence: Carlton
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
I am a superintendent for a large union construction company in the Duluth area.
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
In my 25+ years of experience I have developed strong leadership skills, strategic planning, and understand the dynamics of business operations. I also have a great deal of experience working with company owners, clients, departments, staff, and other various trades. Beyond my day job I have been a volunteer firefighter/first responder in Carlton for over 12 years, serving as a trustee on the fire department board as well as a trustee for the carpenters union board. I also dedicate my time to youth sports and coaching, I also serve as the vice president of the hockey association and board member/softball coordinator of the CW Raptors Youth Baseball/Softball Association.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
To advocate for the students and community and make decisions to best serve the school district.
Why are you running for office?
I am running to make a difference in my community for the students, parents, and the Carlton residents. I will strive to be a board member who is always considering the best interest of students when making decisions and implementing positive changes for our community.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
To support consolidation efforts and work to serve the residents of Carlton school district.
What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing your district, and how do you plan to overcome them?
Declining enrollment, consolidation, state funding challenges. I do not have a solid plan at this point, but would like to be elected to listen, understand, and work towards success for our students and Carlton residents.
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.
I plan to ask questions and consider our tax payers when making decisions. I also will work to understand different avenues we can access and be creative. My background in construction will be an asset in decision making about facilities, groundskeeping, district property and improvements within the district.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in your school board?
Asking questions and challenging ideas at the table, during working sessions and school board meetings. Making sure I fully understand the action item and how it serves our districts main purpose.
Dan Solarz
Incumbent: No
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Eryn Szymczak
Incumbent: No
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.
