Elections

Kettle River 2024 Election Guide

KAXE

Published October 8, 2024 at 12:55 PM CDT

Jesse L. Kemp and David Lucas are running for Kettle River mayor.
Monique Annette Doward, Patricia Lund, Marcia Sarvela and Laura Simi are running for Kettle River City Council.

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.

Election Guide Homepage

Mayor

Jesse L. Kemp

Incumbent: No

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.

David Lucas

Incumbent: Yes

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.

City Council (Elect Two)

Monique Annette Doward

Incumbent: Yes
Age on Election Day: 42

Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
Teachers On Call, Teaching

Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
With over 10 years of public service, I was the first minority elected to the Kettle River City Council and Carlton County, despite facing discrimination, being locked out of offices, and denied access to public records. I’ve consistently fought for transparency and accountability, standing up to corruption and the "good old boys club" that’s mismanaged taxpayer dollars. The recent favoritism in council decisions, like approving water and sewer hookups twice for a Planning and Zoning member, is unacceptable. I’m running to restore integrity, fight against communist agendas harming our rural city, and ensure a government that truly serves the people.

Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
As a city council member, my role is to represent the residents of Kettle River by making informed decisions that serve the best interests of our community. This includes overseeing the city’s budget, approving ordinances, setting policies, and addressing issues such as infrastructure, public services, and development. I am responsible for ensuring transparency, holding city officials accountable, and listening to residents' concerns to promote fair and effective governance. My goal is to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, and that city operations are conducted ethically and efficiently for the benefit of all.

Why are you running for office?
I’m running for office to bring accountability, transparency, and integrity back to Kettle River. For too long, the city has been plagued by corruption, favoritism, and mismanagement, hurting residents and increasing financial burdens. I want to fight for fair treatment, responsible spending, and a government that truly serves the people.

What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific policy goals.
My top priority is to restore the city’s true ordinances and ensure every resident has access to an accurate copy, bringing transparency and accountability back to local government. I will work with a functioning council to develop a five-year economic plan focused on attracting new businesses and revitalizing our local economy. Additionally, I’ll collaborate with state officials to tackle the excessive debt burden that’s crippling our small rural area, ensuring we uplift our community and create sustainable growth for the future. This is about fixing what’s broken and building a stronger, more prosperous Kettle River.

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 a small community like Kettle River with a population of 166, it's crucial to address housing affordability and availability head-on. If elected, I will work to secure funding for affordable housing projects and partner with state and regional programs that offer assistance to both renters and homeowners. I’ll push for policies that encourage sustainable development and support property owners in maintaining affordable housing options. By fostering collaboration with local builders, developers, and state officials, we can create solutions that meet the needs of our residents, ensuring that everyone has access to safe, affordable housing in our community.

What effective policies will you support that will prepare your city now, next year and in the future to improve resiliency against climate change?
To improve Kettle River’s resiliency against climate change, I will support policies that focus on sustainable development and environmental stewardship. This includes promoting energy-efficient building practices, investing in renewable energy sources, and improving infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events. I’ll also advocate for partnerships with state and federal programs to fund climate adaptation initiatives, such as upgrading water and sewer systems to be more resilient. By integrating climate-conscious strategies into our five-year economic plan, we can protect our community now and for future generations, while also creating new opportunities for green businesses and jobs in our small city.

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.
As a council member, I believe in keeping taxes as low as possible while ensuring the community’s needs are met. High taxation burdens our residents, especially in a small rural area like Northern Minnesota. My focus will be on cutting unnecessary spending, prioritizing essential services, and ensuring every tax dollar is used efficiently. I’ll advocate for strict oversight of the city’s budget, transparency in how funds are allocated, and finding creative ways to generate revenue without raising taxes—such as attracting new businesses and seeking grants. My goal is to make every dollar count, providing quality services without overburdening taxpayers.

How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in government?
To improve transparency and rebuild trust in government, I will ensure all city ordinances are restored to their original form and made easily accessible to every resident. I will push for real-time public access to council meetings, budgets, and decision-making processes, so nothing happens behind closed doors. Every expenditure will be clearly documented, and I will fight to end the backroom deals and favoritism that have plagued Kettle River for too long. My commitment is to make government work for the people, not special interests. This is about giving power back to the residents, ensuring accountability, and putting integrity first.