The window for filing to be a candidate for local, non-partisan offices that are not subject to primary elections closed Tuesday, July 28 at 5 p.m. From positions ranging from school boards to mayors, more than 40 people across the Arrowhead are now on the ballot. Non-partisan local control positions on city and township councils, mayoral seats, and school boards. These important local offices influence property tax levies, school budgets, rural infrastructure, and local zoning ordinances. In other words, they directly affect the people in our community.
In Silver Bay, incumbent Mayor Wade LeBlanc is running unopposed. There are two City Council At-Large seats on the ballot, with two candidates: incumbent Jon Nelson and Jenny Bjerken.
There are two seats available for Beaver Bay Township Supervisor, with three candidates running. For Seat A, David Shoen is the sole candidate. Seat C is being contested by Tyler Ellefson and Barbara Fosse Doherty. Filing to run for Town Treasurer is Jennifer Ramsdell.
The current mayor of Beaver Bay, Marcus D. Huss, is running to retain the office. He was appointed by the city council to fill a mayoral vacancy following a public call for applications. Running for the city council are Kyra Bremer and Rhonda Raymond to fill two positions. The ballot contains a special election for Council Member at large to fill an unexpired term for a vacated seat. David Strand is the only candidate who filed for that seat.
Up the shore, Grand Marais Mayor Tracy Benson is running for re-election. Incumbents William Lovaas and Benjamin Peters are joined on the ballot by Dane Kufa in the race for two city council seats.
There are three school board seats open for election in ISD #166 (Cook County Schools) this year. Robert James of Grand Portage is seeking the District 1 seat. Incumbent Rena Rogers of Grand Marais filed for reelection in District 3 and is unopposed, as is incumbent Dan Shirley of Tofte in District 5.
In the election for Cook County’s Hospital District Board, three seats are up for election. The District 1 seat has only incumbent Patricia Winchell-Dahl running. In District 3, incumbent Steven Frykman is challenged by Sharon Graif Berglund. In District 5, incumbent Randy Wiitala is being challenged by Pat Campanaro.
There are three city council positions up for election this November in the City of Two Harbors. Donna Heil is the sole candidate for the At-Large Seat. Uriah Hefter is running for the Ward 1 seat, and Ben Redden is running for the Ward 2 seat. Jeff Radle is the candidate for the District 5 seat on the school board of ISD 381.
Four people have filed for three positions in Finland/Crystal Bay Township. Michael Nikula is the candidate for Town Supervisor Seat B. David Abazs and Charles Cook are contending for Town Supervisor Seat C. Lise Abazs is the candidate for Town Treasurer.
Under Minnesota law, in-person absentee and mail-in voting starts Friday, September 18, 2026. Election offices begin mailing out requested ballots, and voters can vote in person using an absentee application. Direct early voting starts Friday, October 16. Voters casting a nearly ballot in person can feed their voted ballot directly into a tabulator machine rather than placing it in to an absentee envelope. Check with your local voting officials for details. General Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Our area leads the state in voter turnout percentage. Let’s strive for 100% turnout to show our commitment to making a better community and to honor our neighbors who put themselves up for public service positions.
