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.
Council Ward 1
Paul Arens
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: 44
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
Acme Equipment, Territory Sales, Rental
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
Life, I'm a US Citizen
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
Listen to the members of my Ward and do what is best for them.
Why are you running for office?
I'm running for office to take part in government. Learning how government works and the part it plays in a normal citizens life. Do my part to make my community better and focus on the citizens that live here while inviting our community to grow responsibly.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific policy goals.
My priorities are to my members in my Ward. South bridge at 32nd Ave is the only logical solution. Restripe Bygland Rd for better traffic flow and less confusion. Make sure there is sensible spending and no new taxes.
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 don't believe there is much can be done on the local level that can be done for availability and affordability of housing. My constituents live in an area where that is not a major problem. Interest rates are the biggest factor for affordable housing, that can not be changed on the local level.
What effective policies will you support that will prepare your city now, next year and in the future to improve resiliency against climate change?
Climate change is not a real thing. The earth is cyclical. There were times of warmer weather and there were times of cooler weather. There is nothing we can to do to "rebuild" the ozone or the atmosphere. I think If we want weather cooler temporarily, we need to limit hard surfaces that absorb heat, increase grass and native plants and conservative farming practices.
Editor's note: According to the vast majority of peer-reviewed studies, science organizations and climate scientists, climate change largely caused by human emissions has contributed to global warming and extreme weather events. Reducing concrete coverage, increasing native plants and adopting conservative farming practices can reduce emissions and improve climate resiliency.
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.
Yes, high taxes are a problem. They need to be reduced but on a local level it's hard to do. Every dollar needs to be scrutinized whether it needs to be spent or not. If the money "needs" to be spent it should be for the good of every person, not just a select group.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in government?
City of East Grand Forks has plenty of transparency, a person needs to utilize the services offered. There are open meetings, minutes are listed, agenda is posted. To gain trust in the government is to take part in the government, talk to city council members, mayors, city administrators. If a person doesn't trust the person in that position they have the ability to change it by voting or running for office themselves.
Tami Schumacher
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.
-
In spring, eggs have been collected at Cut Foot Sioux walleye spawning site in Deer River, MN, since the 1920s. Fertilized eggs are transported throughout the state. -
Plus: How precincts within Senate District 6 voted in the special election; and area robotics teams head to the MN state competition. -
Chastity Brown returns to Northern Minnesota for Get Downtown with KBXE on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
