Czeczok running for city council, Broch switches to bid for mayor

Brainerd's political races for mayor and for the at-large council seat became three-way contests Thursday when Jeff Czeczok filed for council and political newcomer Lance Broch filed for mayor.

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Broch, 26, who had been pitted against his mother-in-law and two other candidates in Ward 4 withdrew after he learned that he was actually a resident of Ward 1. Broch lives on the boundary lines street and city officials originally thought he was a resident of Ward 4.

On Wednesday Broch said he wasn't interested in either the mayor's seat or the at-large seat. He changed his mind after talking to his family.

Jeff

Czeczok

"I was pretty disappointed and I thought about it," he said. "I just wasn't ready to quit yet."

He said his campaign issues would be similar to those he identified when he first filed for the council.

Broch said he wanted to make more parking available downtown and improve youth and adult parks and recreation programs.

Asked what he offered when compared to the two veteran city officials he would oppose - Mayor James Wallin and council member Bob Olson - Broch said he'd offer new ideas.

He acknowledged his chances might be slim at defeating the two veteran politicians.

Czeczok could not be reached for comment.