Patrick S. Eliasen
Athough the county commissioner races were close or tied, the other contests on the Cook County election ballot were more clear cut.
In the countywide race for Sheriff, Deputy Patrick S. Eliasen earned 1,529 or 53.44 percent of the vote to defeat Interim Sheriff Leif Lunde with 1,324 votes, or 46.28 percent. Reached by phone the day after the election, Sheriff-elect Eliasen said, “I just want to say thanks to everyone who helped out. I couldn’t have done it without all the community support.”
Eliasen added that he was glad the campaign was over and said, “I’m looking forward to getting back to work.”
Sheriff Lunde said first he wanted to thank everyone. “I know everyone says the same thing, but that’s what I need to say.
“It’s been an interesting experience and I think I’m coming away from this as a more educated person.
“I really need to say that I wish Pat all the best. We were friends going into this and I want us to be friends coming out. I will do everything I can to work with Pat and to make him successful as sheriff,” said Lunde.
New faces on Grand Marais city council
For the position of Grand Marais Mayor, incumbent Larry Carlson got 211 write-in votes. An additional write-in vote for Bear Carlson would be added to Carlson’s total, as that is Larry Carlson’s nickname. Auditor Powers told the Cook County News- Herald that if the intent of a voter is clear, the ballot is counted.
However, the lastminute write-in campaign did not change the outcome of the mayoral election. Art House B&B co-owner Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux received 58 percent of the votes with a total of 345 votes, defeating Carlson and the other candidate, Lawrence V. Scully who received 42 votes.
On the evening of the election, the Cook County News-Herald talked to Arrowsmith DeCoux during its participation in the Election Night coverage with Jay Andersen and Roger Linehan. Arrowsmith DeCoux said he was very excited about the results and he hoped to gain the confidence of the voters who had written in former Mayor Carlson. Arrowsmith DeCoux also thanked Carlson for his service to the city of Grand Marais, as well as for his many years as a teacher at Cook County High School.
Arrowsmith DeCoux said one thing he will strive for is better communication with citizens and to do that, he said he has set up a blog to give a mayor’s report on city activities. The blog is up and running with a note of thanks from the mayorelect which can be seen at www.grandmaraismayor. blogspot.com.
For Grand Marais City Council, four candidates were on the ballot for two open seats. Claiming the council seats were the top two vote-getters, Dave Mills with 304 votes and Anton Moody with 280 votes. Vance Benedix had 195 votes and Reid Dusheck had 183.
The News-Herald reached Dave Mills on the evening after the election. Mills said, “Thanks, everyone for your support. I look forward to this opportunity whole-heartedly! I’m sure there will be plenty of challenges, and I believe we are going to enjoy addressing them. This position will use my strengths and that’s a great situation to be in.
“Please call or email me with any and all questions and concerns regarding the city of Grand Marais or our community as a whole. Thank you, again! I am excited to hear from you!” said Mills.
Mills can be reached at davemills@boreal.org or 218-370-8950.
The News-Herald also reached Anton Moody who expressed appreciation to voters. “I’m really grateful to those who are putting their faith in me to do the right thing for Grand Marais. I really appreciate Vance and Reid for coming forward to do their part.
“If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, please get in touch with me. I know I can’t please everyone, but I’m willing to listen,” said Moody.
Goettl wins school board write-in
Two write-in candidates faced off in the race for District 3 on the School District 166 school board. Chris Goettl won the write-in race with 104 votes to Jeff Kern’s 69.
Reached on November 6, Goettl said thanks to everyone who wrote his name on the ballot. He said, “I look forward to the opportunity to put more of my time into ISD 166.”
Running unopposed for ISD166 school board District 5 was Jeanne Anderson of Lutsen who received 476 votes. Deb White of Hovland ran unopposed in District 1 and received 388 votes. Although they were running unopposed, both women had some write-in votes cast against them. White had 12 votes and Anderson had 22 votes tallied under “write-in.”
No surprises in other races
There were no surprises in the remaining county races since there were no challengers. Auditor- Treasurer Braidy Powers and County Recorder Dusty Nelms ran unopposed and were reelected.
Acting County Attorney Molly Hicken ran unopposed for the seat she has been filling since her predecessor Tim Scannell stepped down in October 2013. Hicken received 2,435 votes. There were 49 write-in votes in that race.
Also running unopposed were two candidates to the Cook County Soil & Water Conservation District. Winning re-election were James Hall of Lutsen in SWCD District 2 and David Berglund in District 4.
Finally in local North Shore Hospital District, the three candidates up for reelection, all running unopposed, were reelected—Sharon Bloomquist of Colvill in District 1, Howard Abrahamson of Grand Marais in District 3, and Thomas Spence Sr. of Schroeder in District 5.
DFL holds onto gubernatorial and 8th District seats
In Minnesota House District 3A incumbent Representative David Dill overcame challenger Eric Johnson. Governor Mark Dayton defeated Jeff Johnson and Senator Al Franken defeated challenger Mike McFadden.
In a very tight race, just after 1 a.m., the Associated Press called the race for the 8th Congressional District for incumbent Rick Nolan over challenger Stuart Mills III, with 49.03 percent of the vote to 46.54 percent. Green Party candidate Ray “Skip” Sandman captured 4.35 percent of the vote.
Voter turnout high
Auditor Braidy Powers reported that turnout for the midterm election was 2,948 voters, which is 82 percent of the county’s registered voters.
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