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.
Marc Engel
Incumbent: Yes
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Paul Vraa
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: 60
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
Retired Police Officer; Currently Nashwauk Volunteer Fire Dept.
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
Lifelong experience in public service as a Police Officer, Volunteer Fireman as well a First Responder on the Nashwauk Ambulance. As a former Chief of Police I understand the need to work within a budget and prioritize needs.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
Supervision of township employees; Set a budget for operating expenses. To be available to work with the public to ensure their concerns are known.
Why are you running for office?
I am a lifelong resident of Nashwauk Township. I care about the residents and I wish to help to maintain and improve the quality of life in our area while keeping it affordable for all.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific policy goals.
My priorities if elected would be to maintain the roads within the township. I would also like to work with members of the board as well as members of the community to view long term goals and improvements to the Nashwauk Cemetery.
What effective policies will you support that will prepare your township now, next year and in the future to improve resiliency against climate change?
Nashwauk Township has in the past and is currently using a renewable resource (wood fired boiler) to help offset the high cost of heating through the winter season.
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.
High taxation is also a concern for me on all levels of government. I am concerned about the high cost of property taxes and I would like to do my part to keep taxes low while providing the best services possible.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in government?
I would like to encourage more residents to attend and participate in the monthly township meetings and to voice their thoughts and opinions and to help give direction to the board when possible.
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.
