Strong showing for Crow Wing County Board incumbent Franzen; Espe advances

Incumbent Crow Wing County District 4 Commissioner Rosemary Franzen received a commanding 58.85% of the primary vote Tuesday, Aug. 11.

The Sowing Room Executive Director Dawn Espe finished second with 23.54% of the vote and will advance with Franzen to the November election.

County Commissioner District 4 includes part of the city of Baxter and the First Assessment District, which is the third largest population center in the county, located between Baxter and Nisswa.

Franzen, the current board chair, has served as the commissioner there for 20 years.

In announcing her campaign for reelection, Franzen pointed to her efforts to keep the county property tax levy increases below the state average.

“I am proud to represent all the constituents in the county,” Franzen stated in a release. “My goal as a commissioner has always been to listen to the concerns of the
public and I reaffirm that promise to hear what the residents are saying.”

Espe is a newcomer as a candidate. She said she is running to represent a growing and changing Crow Wing County that requires thoughtful, inclusive leadership.

"I’m not interested in being a manager; I’m committed to being a leader," Espe wrote in the KAXE Primary Election Guide. "To me, leadership means serving the community, working together, listening to understand, creating solutions that work for everyone, and making sure everyone has a seat at the table."

Troy Kenneth Scheffler finished third with 17.64%. Scheffler previously challenge Franzen in the 2022 election.