Mindy Albrecht-Benson Candidate for Lanesboro City Council 1. Tell us about yourself. I was raised in Lanesboro and spent my adulthood in the Twin Cities metro before relocating back to Lanesboro a little over four years ago. I am employed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN as a principal data analyst. In the fall, I also spend time officiating high school volleyball. 2. … [Read more...]

Dan Wilson Candidate for State Senator District 26 Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party 1. Tell us about yourself. I graze dairy cows on a farm outside of Rushford with my family.  Before that, I lived in the Winona Catholic Worker house in Winona, helping homeless people find housing and treatment, for four years.  I spent two years volunteering as an EMT providing humanitarian … [Read more...]

Jeremy Miller Candidate for State Senator District 26 Republican Party 1. Tell us about yourself. I was born and raised right here in Southeastern Minnesota. I’ve been married to my beautiful wife Janel for 13 years and we are proud parents of three boys, Drew (10) and twins, Luke and Tom (9). I have a technical college degree in accounting from Minnesota State College … [Read more...]

Michael Himlie Candidate for Harmony City Council 1. Tell us about yourself. My name is Michael Himlie, I have lived in Harmony most of my life. I graduated from Fillmore Central in 2012 and Manchester University in 2017. After college I lived in Europe and the Middle East providing unarmed protection for civilians in war zones and documenting human rights violations and … [Read more...]

Bob Schuldt Candidate for District 4 Commissioner 1. Tell us about yourself. I am a lifelong resident of Houston County, graduate of La Crescent High School, with an associate degree at Alexandria Tech College.  I have over 33 years in public service in law enforcement, 23 years on the La Crescent Fire and First Responders, and over seven years of experience on the La … [Read more...]

John Fuchsel Candidate for District 4 Commissioner 1. Tell us about yourself. I’m a lifelong resident of Houston County, having grown up on a farm in rural La Crescent as the oldest of 10 children. This is my first experience with running for an elected office. My past leadership experiences have instead involved such areas as church president 12 years, youth groups, … [Read more...]

Eric Leitzen Candidate for State Senator District 26 Legal Marijuana Now Party 1. Tell us about yourself. I moved to Bluff Country when I was 14. Since then I have washed dishes in Canton, fried fish in Preston, taught special education in Houston, and represented the entire region as president of Historic Bluff Country. I am a working class Minnesotan through and … [Read more...]

Luan Ruesink Candidate for Spring Valley City Council 1. Tell us about yourself: My name is Luan Ruesink. I am running for re-election to Spring Valley City Council. I work for the Mayo Clinic and celebrated my 26th anniversary there this past June. I have worked in the legal field for Mayo Clinic for the past 22 years. I am a graduate of Wykoff Public School and hold a … [Read more...]

Tony Archer Candidate for Spring Valley Mayor 1. Tell us about yourself. My name is Tony Archer, RN, BSN, graduated from Winona State with a four year degree in nursing. I am running for my third term as mayor of Spring Valley. I was a city council member four terms before becoming the mayor 2. Why are you running for office? My platform is promoting Spring Valley as a … [Read more...]

Steve Kemp Candidate for Spring Grove City Council 1. Tell us about yourself. I was born in Anchorage, Alaska, when Alaska was still a U.S. Territory, which I guess dates my approximate age. Moving to Spring Grove in the 1980s, I have lived in the community for 37 years. Though being of retirement age I still manage to remain busy working for Bernard Bus Service, driving a … [Read more...]

Heather Edgington Candidate for Spring Grove City Council 1. Tell us about yourself. I grew up in Spring Grove and returned 15 years ago to raise my family. I have enjoyed serving on the Parks & Commission, YOOH Board and Scholar Dollars Board. I work in Marketing and Admissions for a nonprofit corporation that provides housing and care for seniors. We have 10 … [Read more...]

Charles Sparks Candidate for Preston City Council 1. Tell us about yourself. I am a retired teacher from the Fillmore Central Schools. I have lived and/or worked in Preston since 1968. My wife Ann and I have owned our Preston home for 35 years. We have three children who grew up in Preston and graduated from Fillmore Central Schools. 2. Why are you running for office? … [Read more...]

Flossie Schultz Candidate for Preston City Council 1. Tell us about yourself. I’ve been a resident of Preston for 10 years, and was honored to be appointed to serve on the city council when a seat became vacant earlier this year.  I grew up in Southwest Minnesota and graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls with a bachelor’s degree in social work and sociology. Over … [Read more...]

Chris Stenzel Candidate for Peterson Mayor 1. Tell us about yourself. Jackie, my wife of 30 years, and I moved to Peterson four years ago.  Prior to moving to Peterson we lived in Rochester for 26 years where I was a social studies high school teacher and coach.  I enjoyed growing up in Freeborn, Minn., a small rural community north of Albert Lea, and believe in the small … [Read more...]