On the ballot for the primary elections here on the North Shore, there is only one contest that is non-partisan. There are three candidates who have filed for election to the County Commissioner position in Cook County District 1, and only voters residing in that district will see these candidates on the back side of their ballot.
In Minnesota, rural county commissions serve as the legislative and executive backbone of the county. Commissioners are responsible for managing public funds, setting local property tax levies, and determining the annual budget. They vote on zoning laws, supervise the maintenance of thousands of miles of county roads, allocate funding for public safety and emergency services, and oversee critical health and human service programs.
The candidates include the incumbent, Debra White, who is seeking a second term. Commissioner White has lived in Cook County for a half-century. Her two children graduated from Cook County High School, and three of her grandchildren attend Sawtooth Mountain Elementary in Grand Marais.
Over the years, she has worked in a variety of roles. In Community Education as a youth development/youth service coordinator, Kids Plus coordinator, and as a tutor with Grand Portage education for eight years. Before her election to the Cook County Board, she served 12 years on the ISD 166 school board, the school district that serves all of Cook County. White advocates for responsible, taxpayer-focused spending decisions.
Also seeking a place on the November ballot is Christine Childs, an enrolled member of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Born in the Grand Marais hospital, her family left Grand Portage when she was 9. She later graduated from high school in Cook, MN, and pursued a career as an EMT.
Childs returned to Grand Portage in 2013 to help care for aging relatives. She is the mother of two boys, one of whom is entering his senior year at CCHS, and an older one who lives and works in Grand Portage. She is an active volunteer with the Grand Portage Fire Department, recently completing Fire Fighter 1 training and joining the local Search and Rescue team.
Childs says she was asked by community members who want a better voice for Grand Portage issues to run for the District 1 seat. The concerns she’s heard include the condition of Hwy 61 from Colvill through Hovland and the county’s effort to renovate the Hovland Town Hall.
After she looked at the results of the building inspection performed on the town hall by an out-of-town consulting firm, she concluded that it wasn’t in line with the expectations of local residents in mind.
She hopes the board returns to caring about the people in small communities. “There are so many skilled workers in our area, but the county went to outside consultants, and probably contractors, to find workers,” she said. “Use the local people.”
The third candidate is Matt Kelm of Hovland. Kelm grew up in the Twin Cities and has lived in Cook County for two years. He and his wife started looking to relocate here about four years ago. When he was growing up, his family made the North Shore their vacation destination. While in high school, he worked summers at Surfside Resort in Tofte. For more than 20 years before making the move, he backpacked on the Superior Hiking Trail anytime he had free time. He wrote that he’s always been interested in politics and in recent years has felt more inclined to serve his community in meaningful ways. “Elected office felt like the next big step to being informed and involved in my local community. I would love to bring an energetic, collaborative, and positive attitude to the Board of Commissioners while bringing a new voice who will prioritize being available and accountable to all constituents in District 1.”
For those on the North Shore, paying close attention to who sits on the County Board is arguably more impactful on daily life than tracking national politics. A commissioner’s vote directly influences your property tax bill, the condition of the roads, and whether the county can develop attainable housing and retain local healthcare options.
Knowing your commissioners, tracking their votes, and attending public meetings helps ensure the needs of your community are fiercely advocated for.
