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.
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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 4
Ann Sullivan
Incumbent: Yes
Age on Election Day: 69
City/Township of residence: Grand Marais
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
I currently and serving as the Cook County Board Chair and District 4 Commissioner
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
In addition to my service as a County Commissioner, I worked as a school principal, instructional trainer, and principal for over four decades. I've been an active volunteer, as a member and/or officer of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Cook County Historical Society, and the ISD 166 Education Foundation. Currently I also am a certified DNR Volunteer Firearms Safety Instructor, sharing both my passion for the outdoors and safety with many young people here in the county. I am dedicated to engaging with individuals, organizations, and government bodies to effectively address issues that matter to Cook County residents and to future generations. I seek to understand both the big picture and important details involved in making sound, informed decisions.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
A commissioner is part of a team responsible for governing and representing the people of the county. Commissioners should expect to serve on 20% of all our boards, committees, and commissions for the county. The role involves duties such as enacting ordinances, approving budgets, setting policies and providing oversight. A commissioner serves as an advocate for constituents, engaging with the community, and representing county interests at the regional, state, and federal levels. A role is played in budget and financial management, policy development, community engagement, decision-making and leadership aiming to address local needs and promote the overall welfare of the county.
Why are you running for office?
I've lived here, taught in our schools, volunteered, and served on many local boards giving me valuable insight into our rich community. As a commissioner I have developed a strong network of local, regional, state, and federal relationships which allow collaboration to get our needs met both for today and tomorrow. I listen, work well with others, do my "homework" and will continue to make decisions in the best interests of the people of Cook County.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific policy goals.
Encouraging affordable housing and the development of childcare facilities both require a combination of regulatory reforms, financial incentives, and public-private partnerships. Housing is addressed in the next question, so I will focus on childcare here. Zoning regulations can allow for more childcare centers or small-scale childcare facilities to exist in mixed-use areas of the county. Subsidies and grants can be expanded, public-private partnerships can collaborate on childcare. Workforce development focusing on the training and certification of childcare providers can be provided through CCHE; scholarships, grants, or loan forgiveness could be considered for those entering childcare professions. This can be done legislatively. We can also try to create more flexible licensing standards for smaller, home-based providers while maintaining health and safety standards. At the legislature we might work to create a mechanism for businesses to offer childcare support as a benefit to employees with either on-site childcare for large businesses and organizations or financial assistance with childcare costs for small businesses.
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?
In order to put a significant dent in our housing need, we need to rethink zoning; there is a way to provide smaller acreage close to our cities and townships which would allow for increased density. Policies need to streamline processes to encourage developers, create more public-private partnerships to build affordable housing, and use tax incentives for developers who build affordable units or rehabilitate existing housing for low or moderate income families. Lastly, tax-forfeited properties should be evaluated for use as build sites which could be donated by the county.
What effective policies will you support that will prepare your county now, next year and in the future to improve resiliency against climate change?
Cook County was the first county in Minnesota to declare a Climate Emergency. We have talked about developing a policy and creating a Climate Action Plan in conjunction with deferred maintenance and our Capital Improvement Plan, as we remodel and add on to existing facilities. Our policy to create resilience to climate change needs to focus on both mitigation and adaptation strategies to protect our communities and ecosystems. More significant investing in green infrastructure will reduce the impact of extreme weather events. Creating energy-efficient, climate resilient buildings will help us adapt to changing conditions. Gradually purchasing more hybrid and electric vehicles, when appropriate, for our county fleet will make a difference, too. Also important is education on climate risks and renewable energy incentives which are necessary to promote sustainability throughout our community.
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.
One of our biggest challenges is balancing limited resources with the growing needs of our communities. County departments in all our northern Minnesota counties are under tight budgets and constraints. We have to navigate the complexities for securing funding, whether through taxes, grants, or state or federal support while also responding to changing economic conditions and population changes. In northern Minnesota, we face the challenge of managing differing interests of full-time and seasonal residents, local businesses and other stakeholders. We need to prioritize, as well as implement long-term solutions for sustainability. In Cook County, we utilize a citizen based Budget and Facilities Advisory Committee which uses the differing strengths and experiences of those citizens to analyze our budget, use of buildings...to provide recommendation to the county board about effectively using taxpayer dollars.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in government?
Integrity, fairness, and transparency are values I exhibit through my commitment to improving our county and serving its residents. I listen to constituents needs and concerns and address them impartially--in a fair manner. Decisions are made in an open fashion, and our County Board strives to report in a clear way to the public. Transparency and reporting to the public are improving as we begin to use ClearGov, so our residents can gain insight into our financial proceedings. We are also constantly improving our website to make it easier to navigate and complete forms on-line 24/7--creating convenience for all. Lastly, I work hard to make decisions based on what's best for our county, even when faced with pressure or opposition. It's not easy, but that is what integrity requires.
Arvis Thompson
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.
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