Back for a second round of interviews, the primary victors in the Beltrami County District 2 race discussed their platforms in their bids to be the next Beltrami County District 2 Commissioner.
The race has no incumbent, as current Commissioner Reed Olson is running to be the next MN House 2A race.
The candidates are listed in the order they were interviewed.
DON HEINONEN
Don Heinonen
Don Heinonen has run several campaigns over the years, but this is his first for county office.
Heinonen is a supporter of law enforcement and if elected, would want to get involved on the future of the Beltrami County Jail.
Heinonen initially moved to the area to attend Northwest Technical College, raised his family here and has worked in automotive and fiber optics industries, in addition to his years of community and civic service.
JOE GOULD
Joe Gould is a lifelong northern Minnesotan, and a current history and social studies teacher at Cass Lake-Bena Schools.
Gould came close to winning the Ward 1 race in 2020, and in August gained more than half of the vote in the primary race.
Gould is passionate about children’s mental health and improving and expanding the housing stock in the community.
