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.
Michael Anderson
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: 71
City/Township of residence: Shingobee
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
Retired Educator
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
39 years in Education
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
Provide oversight for Walker-Hackensack-Akeley district 113
Why are you running for office?
Provide service and guidance based on 39 years of teaching and learning experience.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
School safety, education for trades, and data-driven decisions.
What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing your district, and how do you plan to overcome them?
Academic and trades programs for all students. Seek to understand first and then act based upon data.
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.
A clear auditing system that is widely available and an explanation that any person could understand.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in your school board?
With the exception of personnel issues, all business of the public schools should be public.
Linda Arts
Incumbent: Yes
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Karrie Ehlenfeldt
Incumbent: No
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Luke Skywalker McGregor
Incumbent: No
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Linsey McMurrin
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: 40
City/Township of residence: Walker
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
Peacemaker Resources - Executive Director
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
I am a graduate of WHA and am a WHA parent, with two students in the district. My career path over the last two decades has provided me the opportunity to work with many school districts across our region including WHA, and I have been grateful to be able to listen and understand more about the needs, the success stories, and the challenges our schools are facing. I intend to continue that journey of listening, learning, and careful consideration going forward and will utilize that approach should I be elected to the WHA School Board. I serve on WHA’s American Indian Parent Advisory Committee, providing support to our American Indian Education Department, our families and our students, while also connecting with our school administration, school board, and tribal government. I will always remain committed to serving our communities in any way that I can, with a thoughtful and balanced approach that takes into consideration all ideas and perspectives.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
The role of a school board member is to work together to govern the school district efficiently in a way that takes into account community input, the expertise and knowledge of school staff and leadership, and listens to and acts upon the needs of the students, their families, and the school district as a whole. School board members must hold themselves accountable with integrity to the community they serve and to act in a way that provides equitable education for all and provides a pathway to the larger vision formulated by all consituents that works toward high academic achievement, belonging, and staff and student success.
Why are you running for office?
I believe that I can make a positive contribution to our local school board and that I have the knowledge, expertise, and lived experience that can offer an important perspective that is reflective of the communities we serve. As a lifelong community member, a graduate of WHA and with children attending WHA schools, I have a vested interest in seeing our school continue to make strides forward and understand the value in having our communities feel represented and their voices considered as an active part of the decision-making process.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
I understand the importance of and commit to working together with other board members, with open and honest communication front and center. I will remain committed to acting in the best interests of all students and will hold myself and the board accountable to ensuring our decisions support the outcomes we want to see as a district. I will to continue to build trust between the district and our communities by being a listener, and through relaying issues and concerns as they arise utilizing the appropriate channels. I believe strongly in the power of collaboration and working toward a common goal and am committed to effective leadership through these ways of being should I be elected.
What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing your district, and how do you plan to overcome them?
There are a myriad of factors that are impacting school districts across the state and beyond. Paying attention to the challenges our communities at large are facing is of utmost importance. Ensuring proper supports for mental health and wellness, addressing concerns when supports are lacking, equitable access to programming and services that create connection and belonging for all, and continuing on our journey of ensuring continued academic success are of utmost importance. Our district has made great strides in creating opportunities for our teachers, staff, and administration to feel valued and I hope to continue to build upon the progress made in ensuring that administration, teachers, and support staff not only find a place at WHA but also commit to making our community their home. Our students will benefit greatly from having those long-term relationships with the adults in the school that care for them; already we have so many WHA alumni that have returned to WHA because they recognize the importance in their own lives from the continuity of care -- I look forward to seeing that continue to grow going forward.
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 school board member, I commit to being a good steward of funds that are entrusted to us through property, state, and local taxes. Fiduciary responsibility is of utmost importance, and while as school board members there are many factors out of our control, a commitment to utilizing the funds in a way that are in line with values and interests of our school community will guide decisions that are made.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in your school board?
Communication and relationship are key in fostering transparency and trust in any setting. School board members are tasked with representing the communities we serve and we all can learn much through listening earnestly with curiosity and compassion. I aim to always be approachable and to consider all concerns and perspectives. While we won't always have all the answers, or be able to provide immediate solutions, a commitment to always working collaboratively to find the next steps will continue to move us forward in a good way.
Barbara Sherman
Incumbent: No
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Lori J. Stein
Incumbent: Yes
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Victoria "Vicki" White
Incumbent: Yes
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.
