Nesheim, Olson win Brainerd council races
In a close race for the two at-large Brainerd City Council seats, incumbent Lucy Nesheim and challenger Bob Olson defeated incumbent Gene Goedker and challenger Matt Taylor.
The final vote totals were Nesheim 2,393, Olson 2,176, Taylor 2,066 and Goedker 2,010. It was a tight race in the city with Nesheim garnering the most votes in half of the eight precincts in the city, Olson carrying two precincts and Taylor carrying two precincts.
Nesheim has served on the Brainerd City Council since 1988. Olson is making a return to the council after a 23-year absence. He served as a council member from 1975-1977. He also served as Brainerd mayor from 1989-1990.
Brainerd at-large, two seats
Incumbent Lucy Nesheim 2,393
Bob Olson 2,176
Matt Taylor 2,066
Incumbent Gene Goedker 2,010
Ward 1 Precinct 1
Bob Olson 250
Matt Taylor 233
Lucy Nesheim 230
Gene Goedker 163
Ward 1 Precinct 2
Lucy Nesheim 530
Gene Goedker 521
Bob Olson 353
Matt Taylor 313
Ward 2 Precinct 1
Lucy Nesheim 273
Matt Taylor 233
Gene Goedker 217
Bob Olson 203
Ward 2 Precinct 2
Matt Taylor 285
Bob Olson 284
Lucy Nesheim 236
Gene Goedker 177
Ward 3 Precinct 1
Matt Taylor 277
Bob Olson 260
Lucy Nesheim 229
Gene Goedker 210
Ward 3 Precinct 2
Bob Olson 270
Lucy Nesheim 267
Gene Goedker 254
Matt Taylor 220
Ward 4 Precinct 1
Lucy Nesheim 341
Bob Olson 302
Matt Taylor 280
Gene Goedker 247
Ward 4 Precinct 2
Lucy Nesheim 287
Bob Olson 254
Matt Taylor 225
Gene Goedker 221
Nesheim, the leading vote-getter, said it was a tough race and she is looking forward to serving Brainerd for the next four years.
"It's been a long, hard campaign and I'm glad it's over," said Nesheim. "I'm looking forward to serving the city for another four years, and I thank the voters for their confidence. We've got a lot to look forward to."
Nesheim said campaigning gave her the chance to get out into the city's neighborhoods and again meet Brainerd residents. "The door-knocking is the best part of the election, to get to meet the people again," Nesheim said.
Olson said he figured it would be difficult running against two incumbents. He and Taylor campaigned together and Olson said that he and Taylor addressed the issues people cared about most.
"I feel good that I've won," Olson said. "I'm going to try to work with the other council members to see if we can work on some of the issues I campaigned on. I intend to be very thrifty and careful with how I vote to spend city tax dollars."
Olson also gave praise to Taylor for putting up good numbers as a newcomer, and to Goedker for his 12 years of service to the city of Brainerd.
Despite the loss Taylor did better then he expected in the elections.
"I had nightmares about getting only 25 votes," he said. "I am a little disappointed, but 2,066 people thought I should be their council member. That's pretty good."
Goedker, who like Nesheim has served on the council since 1988, was disheartened by the vote.
"I think the city lost," in not voting him in, said Goedker. "I think it's not the best thing for the city, but the voters made the decision and I always said I would work for the city as long as the citizens wanted me."
Goedker said the loss takes a burden off his shoulders and leaves him time to spend with work, his family and for himself.