9. Elections
Politicians play musical chairs
Elections in 2004 brought former politicians back to the ring while a few officials played musical chairs.
Veteran DFLer Don Samuelson, a former state senator and representative, was defeated by Republican Paul Gazelka of rural Brainerd for the House District 12A seat. Independence Party candidate Larry Anderson also was in the race.
Samuelson said voters possibly concluded that his 32 years in the Legislature were enough.
Rep. Greg Blaine, R-Little Falls, won re-election to the House District 12B seat, defeating DFL candidate Bob Keeton and Independence Party candidate Al Doty.
Republican Paul Gazelka won the election in House District 12A over Democrat Don Samuelson. Brainerd Dispatch/File photo
Baxter's mayor and a city council member will switch seats in January. Darrel Olson, a current Baxter City Council member, was elected mayor. Gary Muehlhausen, the current Baxter mayor, was elected to a council seat.
Olson defeated challenger James Roelofs. Muehlhausen will join Randy Hukriede on the city council. The two defeated incumbent Barb Wells and challengers Sandy Johnson and Mary Marana.
On the Brainerd City Council, Lucy Nesheim will move from an at-large seat to a Ward 1 seat. Nesheim defeated challengers Ed Shaw and Robert Fitzsimmons for the seat being vacated by Jim Dehen.
Kevin Goedker will fill the Ward 3 Brainerd City Council seat. Goedker beat challenger Jim Sykes for the seat being vacated by Gary Scheeler.
Bob Olson will stay on and Mark O'Day will return to the Brainerd City Council in two council at-large seats.
Two Crow Wing County incumbents were re-elected to their county board seats. Commissioner John Ferrari defeated challenger Kris Hasskamp, a former state legislator. Commissioner Dewey Tautges defeated challenger Gary Scheeler, a Brainerd City Council member.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER can be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.