Wedel, Catlin advance in Aitkin County Commissioner District 1 primary

AITKIN — Current Aitkin County District 1 Commissioner J. Mark Wedel and retired law enforcement officer Timothy Catlin will continue in the race to represent the city of Aitkin on the County Board.

Wedel led Catlin by just six votes: 225 (36.76%) to 219 (35.78%). Aitkin City Councilor Christopher S. Dotzler trailed with 168 votes, or 27.45%.

Dotzler addressed his loss in a Facebook post Aug. 11.

"I would like to wish both of the candidates I ran against the best of luck. Having voted for both of them in pasted elections, I only hope they continue their efforts to serve our community in the best way possible. I will finish my term as a city council member and then who knows what is next," he wrote in the post.

Wedel said he is running to put his experience to work and maintain fiscal integrity and responsible spending for taxpayers.

Catlin has spent his life in Aitkin County and said he cares deeply about the people who call it home.

"Having lived here my whole life, I understand the challenges residents face — from rising costs to limited access to services — and I believe our county deserves strong, steady leadership that listens and responds," he said.