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.
District 2
Bryan Ramsrud
KAXE did not receive a submission from this candidate.
Greg Scherzer
KAXE did not receive a submission from this candidate.
District 4
Bruce Emmel
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: 65
City/Township of residence: Sinclair
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
Retired Business Owner, Bus Driver
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
16 Years as an Airline Station Manager for Mesaba and Northwest Airlines in Bemidji
14 Years Founder and CEO of Home at Heart Care providing Waivered and Personal Care Services for 11 Counties in NW Minnesota
Former Vice President, Treasurer and Interviewer for the Clearwater County Food Shelf
Current Vice President and Treasurer of Clear Waters Life Center
Current Finance Committee Chairperson of Clear Waters Life Center
Current member of the Fosston Airport Commission
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
When our current District Commissioner retires at the end of the year, he not only retires from the County Board but will be vacating boards and committees related to Personnel, Insurance, Planning, Budget and Finance. But even more uniquely He will be vacating appointments to other Boards and Committees related to Health and Human Services, leaving vacant seats on committees such as;
- [ ] Clearwater County Human Services Board
- [ ] North Country Community Health Board
- [ ] North Country Community Health Services
- [ ] Prime West Committee for County Based purchasing
- [ ] Prime West Health Committee
- [ ] Association of MN Counties Policy Committee for Health & Human Services
- [ ] Headwaters Advisory Committee on the aging
No other candidate can bring this kind of experience to the board.
Why are you running for office?
God has been good to me. I believe everything I have done in life has prepared me for this job and it’s my responsibility.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific policy goals.
No one else remaining on the board or running for County Commissioner has the Health and Human Service experience that I have. Not to mention, no other candidate has brought more jobs to this district. Facility closures, such as the Good Samaritan Home in Clearbrook or the near elimination of the Clearwater County Nursing Service in Bagley should alarm everyone. Not only were these facilities important to our quality of life in Clearwater County, but according to the latest census in 2022, Health and Human Services was the largest employment sector in Clearwater County, exceeding Agriculture and Forestry by almost 4 times as much. Seeking our current commissioners appointments and bringing what I have learned serving my clientele to bear would be essential in the ongoing battle to retain and improve Health Care Options.
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?
I know the struggle first hand as my kids are faced with purchasing a home, as prices escalate and interest rates are no longer favorable, but from a county perspective the best thing we can do for them is to keep our taxes as low as possible.
What effective policies will you support that will prepare your county now, next year and in the future to improve resiliency against climate change?
I believe most climate policies have only increased our tax burdens, fuel and utility costs. However helping more residents obtain solar and wind technology will enable more people to live free of these climate costs and live healthier off grid lifestyles.
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?
No one that I know likes paying taxes. It’s imperative of all county commissioners to work together to triage the needs from the wants and live within our means.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in government?
I’ve always been a very transparent person. I would guess by now in this campaign most of district 4 residents know where I live, so if people want to visit, I can always make a fresh pot of coffee. Also my entire resume is on line at Bruce Emmel 4 Clearwater County Commissioner.
Last summer I had a great time visiting with new friends and old in the commercial building at the County Fair in Bagley. If I win, I’ll make that an annual tradition.
Juleigh Prosser
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: 60
City/Township of residence: Clearbrook
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
Successful Retired Business Owner
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
More than 30 years experience in Leadership and Large Scale Projects. Successful Entrepreneur for 27 years, in Healthcare and Construction Industries. National recognition for knowledge of codes and standards. Nationally accredited Instructor. Team builder and strong collaborator. Extensive experience in contract negotiation and happy productive work environments. Experienced grant writer, through collaboration with local non profits and municipalities have written for almost $400,000. Bringing funds into our communities to improve quality of life here in Clearwater County. Have served on multiple Board of Directors, and consulted to many top level executives. Degreed Chemist and lifelong learner.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
As County Commissioner, my major responsibilities would include: overseeing county operations, managing county personnel, ensuring proper land use planning, establishing the county budget, levying taxes, authorizing expenditures, maintaining fiscal stability, and serving on the County Health Board.
Why are you running for office?
County level government is the closest to hearing the voice of the people I would serve, and typically where one can affect the most change. Combine this with my heart for service and a passion for making a positive difference. Clearwater County is my home, I cherish it and want to contribute my experience and skills to benefit my District 4 Neighbors and our county.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific policy goals.
1) Transparency, Accessibility & Responsible Stewardship.
It is difficult to build consensus or cohesiveness within the county when information is vague, difficult to access or non-existent. How do our residents know what is going on during County Commissioner Meetings at 10 am on Tuesdays, when they are at work or not available to attend? Commissioner on-line meeting minutes are vague and often cryptic. Why are they not consistently published in the local newspapers? Or better yet, why aren’t the meetings broadcasted or recorded for a larger audience to view (and or review later)?
How do we know our resources are being responsibly stewarded when the majority of this information isn’t available online or easily accessible? As a smaller county within the state, with limited resources, we need to spend prudently and with fiscal responsibility. That does not mean we continue doing it the way it’s always been done (or not done). Change requires courage, determination, and a commitment to find a new way. (See final question for more detail).
2) Responsible Succession for County Offices
The majority of our department heads are very experienced and have built strong departments and served us well. How are we prioritizing the stability of their services into the future, as these wisdom holders retire and complete their service? How are we preparing for the future through responsible succession planning? We currently have, many overworked and often understaffed departments, with no time to address this critical point. How do we assure there is not break in continuity of service or the quality of services we provide to the residents of Clearwater County? I would like to make this a priority of the Board as a County Commissioner.
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?
We have finite existing housing options, complicated with a short building season, here in Clearwater County. A good area for research, would be how other rural areas have successfully managed this challenge and learn from them. The general options listed below may also have some application, albeit limited.
1. Subsidies: Use public sources (federal, state, and local governments), financial institutions, and charitable foundations to fund the construction of dedicated affordable housing units.
2. Affordability requirements
Establish requirements or incentives for developers to include affordable units in new market-rate developments.
3. Legally binding restrictions
Ensure that dedicated affordable housing units have legally binding restrictions on rent or sale prices, and occupancy requirements, to maintain affordability for low- and moderate-income households.
From our audience: What effective policies will you support that will prepare your county now, next year and in the future to improve resiliency against climate change?
1. Alternative Fuel Sources
Use of alternative fuel options. Solar is a growing resource, as local residents are becoming independent energy producers and selling back there excess to local power companies for local distribution to other county residents.
2. Good Forest Management and Sustainable Agriculture
Trees and plants are huge allies, as they store carbon at or below ground level. Good Forest Management maximizes this benefit. Sustainable Agriculture provides benefit by adopting practices associated with organic and regenerative agriculture: cover crops, pesticide use reduction, rotational grazing, and compost use, instead of synthetic fertilizers, will help nurture the soil, yield healthier foods, and pay a climate dividend too.
3. Individual Choice Awareness
More education and awareness around the individual choices we make every day. Energy efficiency through Energy Star appliances and added insulation. Reusable water and food containers, recycling waste, ride sharing, landscape enhancements that create water captures benefit livestock, wildlife and pollinators.
4. Local Food Resiliency
Keeping the food we grow and produce locally to feed our people here in Clearwater County, minimizes many levels of expense and climate impact. Food does not need to be flown, shipped or trucked in from outside our county. The environmental costs associated with packaging, storage and refrigeration would all be lessened, thereby reducing the environmental footprint and impact.
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?
By incorporating the following principles and strategies, county government can optimize the use of tax dollars, promote economic growth, and provide essential public services and infrastructure.
• Fiscal Discipline: Ensure fiscal discipline by prioritizing spending, reducing waste, and minimizing discretionary spending. This ensures that tax dollars are allocated towards essential public services and infrastructure.
• Transparency and Accountability: Ensure transparency in county government spending and budgeting, while holding officials accountable for mismanagement or misuse of funds. This fosters trust and encourages responsible fiscal behavior.
• Social Dialogue and Communication: Engage in effective communication with county residents, emphasizing the intended benefits of reforms. Residents who are provided details of decision making are more vested in the outcome and helps to build overall public support.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in government?
Transparency through Accessibility & Responsible Stewardship.
It is difficult to build consensus or cohesiveness within the county when information is vague, difficult to access or non-existent. How do our residents know what is going on during County Commissioner Meetings at 10 am on Tuesdays, when they are at work or not available to attend? Commissioner website meeting minutes are vague and often cryptic. Why are they not regularly published in full detail via the local newspapers? Or better yet, why aren’t the meetings broadcasted or recorded for a larger audience to view (and or review later)?
How do we know our resources are being responsibly stewarded when the majority of this information isn’t available or easily accessible? As a smaller county within the state, with limited resources, we need to spend prudently and with fiscal responsibility. That does not mean we continue doing it the way it’s always been done (or not done).
Change requires courage, determination, and a commitment to find a new way. I would welcome the opportunity to identify and steward federal and state funding that is designed to help small rural counties create and provide what our urban siblings consider necessities. Adding value, accessibility and benefit for all.
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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