Wallin gets another term

James Wallin will serve another four years as Brainerd mayor.

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Wallin beat challengers Bob Olson, who currently serves as an at-large member of the Brainerd City Council, and Lance Broch. With seven of eight Brainerd precincts reporting, Wallin had received 1,919 votes, Olson 1,088 votes and Broch 345 votes.

Wallin thanked residents for voting, Olson for running a positive campaign and his wife, Minna, and his family for supporting him during his 29 years in public office in Brainerd.

"It is truly an honor and privilege to be able to continue to serve the wonderful city of ours as mayor," Wallin said. "We truly live in God's country and with growth and expansion we need to be aware of maintaining the quality of life we enjoy and our natural resources for generations to come."

Brainerd Mayor James Wallin and his wife Minna talked with friends Tuesday night at the Brainerd Dispatch. Wallin beat challenger Bob Olson and will serve another four-year term. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist » Purchase reprints of this photo.

Wallin has served as Brainerd's mayor since 1999. Before that he served 21 years as a Brainerd City Council member, the last 10 of which he was council president. He and his wife own and operate J & M Printing Inc.

Olson said he will continue to voice his opposition to issues he feels are not in the best interest of the city from his at-large council seat, to which he was elected in 2004.

"A majority of people have spoken and they do want the status quo to remain in the city and that's their wishes," Olson said of the outcome of the election.

Broch could not be reached for comment.

MATT ERICKSON can be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.