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.
Josh Heintzeman
Incumbent: Yes
Age on Election Day: 46
City/township of residence: Nisswa/Lake Edward Township
Party: Republican
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
I'm self-employed, my wife Keri and I own Upcountry Log LLC and rental property as well.
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
Keri and I have successfully owned and operated our small business for over 20 years in the Brainerd Lakes Area and have a large family. The combined experience of family and business has uniquely positioned us to better understand the challenges my constituents face on a daily basis.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
A state Representative must take the concerns of the district to St Paul and implement solutions to address them
Why are you running for office?
As a senior member of my caucus, I now more than ever, understand the challenges of St Paul and have the experience to better represent my constituents. If given the opportunity to once again represent the Brainerd Lakes Area, I would be honored to use that knowledge to their benefit.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific policy goals.
I have in the past and I will continue to author and co-author legislation to cut taxes, eliminate waste/fraud, delete the statewide business property tax, and rebuild or eliminate out of control bureaucracy. Holding key positions on the Environment/Ways And Means Committee and serving as a senior leader in my caucus offers the unique opportunity to also address wide-ranging issues from overburdensome environmental regulation to job killing bureaucracy in Minnesota agencies.
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?
Minnesotans are facing an average of $11,300 in increased cost due to inflation under the Harris/Walz administrations. Clearly the economic policies of the DFL have left Minnesotans worse off than when Democrats first took control of the state and federal government. My first priority is addressing high taxes ($9 billion increased taxes) fraud (over half a billion dollars and likely more) and wasteful spending ($19 billion dollar surplus completely gone). Addressing these economic issues would greatly reduce the pain Minnesotans face attempting to find and keep homes.
What effective policies will you support that will prepare your district now, next year and in the future to improve resiliency against climate change?
From creation going forward our climate has fluctuated, decision makers that recognize the potential for changes in climate can direct policy and resources more effectively. Examples of implementing resilient policy include which tree species we plant in reforestation projects and even in laws regulating game species and the opening of seasons taking game.
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 have in the past and I will continue to author and co-author legislation to cut taxes, eliminate waste/fraud, delete the statewide business property tax, and rebuild or eliminate out of control bureaucracy. Holding key positions on the Environment/Ways And Means Committee and serving as a senior leader in my caucus offers the unique opportunity to also address wide-ranging issues from overburdensome environmental regulation to job killing bureaucracy in Minnesota agencies.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in government?
My first priority is the well-being of the family, and a healthy economy is key in that support. Ending the DFL trifecta is the only way to reestablish bipartisanship and transparency. If successful seeking re-election I look forward to once again being a voice for small business in St Paul.
Emily LeClaire
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: 34
City/township of residence: Brainerd
Party: DFL
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
I currently work 2 jobs. One as a Program Assistant for the Greater Minnesota Family Services SEED program and the other as a Direct Support Professional at Clark Lake Homes.
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
I have years of experience in advocating for lower income families and children through TCC as a member of the Parent Committee and Policy Council and at the Minnesota Head Start Association as a Delegate and Board member. I can see the lack of representation that lower income families have in the political realm, and that is why I got more involved.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
I think the main objective I'll have while in office will be to take the concerns of my district to the state and fight for what they need. Too often, I have talked to voters that feel their voices aren't heard.
Why are you running for office?
I've always dedicated myself to serving others and have taught my kids that when you can do something to make things better for others, you should. I believe that there are many people who feel underrepresented and undervalued. My goal is to bridge that gap.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific policy goals.
Number one is to make sure we pass the ERA in the state of Minnesota and that we fight for it at the national level. After 100 years, it is long overdue to be considered the law of the land.
Secondly, we need to assure our children that we have their back with policies that focus on bolstering our public education options, including expanding Head Start, Early Head Start, and all forms of early childhood education as well as parent education programs, and early intervention for mental health needs. We need to be sure that families feel they have options when it comes to education without lessening the availability of quality education across city and county lines.
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?
Affordable and safe housing is an issue that is prevalent across the state. As a renter, I know how frustrating it can be to find housing that is not only affordable, but safe and comfortable. It shouldn't be that way. Apart from that, we deal with the reality that people often pay more in rent than they would for a mortgage, but they find they do not qualify for a mortgage. So, what's the answer? We need to work with programs already in place and provide more grant funding and support to them. We also need to rely on input from experts in the field. This isn't a one size fits all problem, it's multifaceted, so our solutions also need to be. We need to address interest rates, credit scores in regard to mortgages, short term rentals, foreclosure rates, rental standards and the like.
What effective policies will you support that will prepare your district now, next year and in the future to improve resiliency against climate change?
Climate change is a reality we are living in. It is not a rumor, a possibility, or an inevitability. We are in it now. Recognizing that is the first step toward real solutions. In Minnesota, especially in my district, known as the Brainerd Lakes Area, our natural resources are one of our most valuable assets. I will work on education initiatives to drive home the reality we face in climate change. Beyond that, I plan to work with environmental experts to take the next steps in conserving our lakes, rivers, forests, parks, and trails.
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 thing to consider is that we've seen a number of surpluses. But, there are a number of things we could be spending money on that we're not, or not enough to make a broad impact. That said, we need to make sure middle and lower income citizens are not overly burdened by taxes. I plan on looking at what we need, where the gaps are in our budget, and looking to reallocate funds in a way that makes sense for our communities, while protecting those of us bringing home the least from being unduly taxed. This, of course, means that people with very high incomes would see a rise in taxation, if that rise occurs.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in government?
Firstly, being available to my constituents. Talking to people is the best way to increase trust. When people know your character, your values, they are more likely to trust you. When you follow through, when you are there for them, that's when they put their faith in you. I have gotten to know many voters in my district. Their number one complaint about our current representative is that they feel they are not heard. They feel that there isn't a place for them at the table. When, really, it's their table.
Troy Scheffler
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: 48
City/township of residence: Lake Edward Township
Party: Americans First
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
Where? Within Minnesota. My role is justicar.
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
I've fielded fake news from Chelsea Perkins and survived. Best part about it is after her defamatory article, I will be suing her previous employer in the next couple weeks. So, there's that. Both parties suck and I don't. That should qualify anyone.
Editor's Note: Chelsey Perkins is the news director of KAXE News. In her previous role at the Brainerd Dispatch, Perkins covered Troy Scheffler's 2022 candidacy for Crow Wing County Board.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
Serving the People and ousting evil doers like crooked Hobbit Heintzeman
Why are you running for office?
Obligation and duty. Otherwise, I hate the idea of being a politician. But hey, someone honest should probably step up for once. I suppose that's why Chelsea did what she did.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific policy goals.
Expose crooked politicians, Heintzeman fraud, smash the establishment... Oh and to constantly expose fake news like Perkins puts out. I will be a relentless juggernaut which is why the swamp and the media hate me so much.
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?
Repatriate all the illegals and then the rest that don't meet the requirements of The Founders 1790 Naturalization Act. Those that refuse to leave can go to the salt mines.
What effective policies will you support that will prepare your district now, next year and in the future to improve resiliency against climate change?
Build tons of nuclear power plants to establish energy independence. You know, something that should have been done by the establishment parties decades ago. But hey, energy is control. Otherwise, how do you improve "resiliency" to nature? Climate is cyclical. I suppose I want to stop Minnesota winters, but I am pretty sure that climate change is happening regardless of what I want.
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.
Remove and expose grifters like Heintzeman. I will streamline the judiciary and court reporters which will not only be bipartisan, but improve transparency and accuracy while saving tens of millions of bucks. That's just off the cuff. I suppose I would also combine much of the CFB with the OAH, too. Lowering spending to be able to lower taxes is pretty easy when you're not owned by special interests.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in government?
Expose jack holes like Josh Heintzeman and his lying wife. Pretty easy to do when people are paying attention. Considering Chelsea lied for him and Franzen, exposing the fake news should be on the agenda too.
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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