— District 5 Commissioner Barry Nelson of Lake Eunice Township is running for reelection this year. He faces challengers Jack Heisler and Dave E. Shaw, who did not respond to a questionnaire from this newspaper.
Nelson and his wife, Jamie, have been married for over 23 years. They were both born and raised in the Lake Park and Audubon areas and graduated from Lake Park Audubon High School.
After high school, Nelson graduated from Moorhead State University. While there, he was active with the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and served as the manager of the men’s basketball team.
Jamie is the LPA secondary school counselor and will be coaching junior high volleyball this fall. They have three daughters, the oldest attends MSUM and the younger two attend LPA High School.
“I am very proud of my daughters’ academic and athletic abilities, which they get from their mother,” Nelson wrote in a questionnaire from this newspaper.
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Along with being county commissioner, Nelson farms corn, soybeans and wheat, and the family grows pumpkins, squash and gourds for their roadside stand.
“We live in Lake Eunice Township on Eilertson Lake, which is across the lake from my great grandparents’ (Guy and Inga Eilertson) homestead,” Nelson wrote. “In my spare time, I enjoy cheering on our kids in their sporting events, spending time at the lake, boating, and traveling with my family. We belong to St. Peter’s Church, where we have many friends and family.”
Nelson decided to run for reelection because “I thoroughly enjoy working with people and finding solutions. The support and encouragement that I have received to run for another term has been overwhelming,” he wrote.
“I believe my experience as commissioner is invaluable, with my best traits being able to listen and work towards solutions. I use difficult decisions and times to learn from and help guide the next issue that comes before me. Every difficult experience makes us stronger and better to handle the next one.”
Roads and law enforcement are Nelson’s top priorities. He would also like to expand recreation opportunities in the county, such as the Middle Cormorant swim area. And he believes an important role is to be a spokesperson for Becker County residents with legislators, government agencies and tribal concerns.
Nelson is involved in the following organizations:
- Treasure of Raider Basketball Association
- Chairman of Sunnyside Nursing Home
- Board member of Minnesota Rural Counties
- Board member of Lake Agassiz Regional Library
- Vice chair of Lakeland Mental Health board.
- Board member of the Association of Minnesota Counties’ Natural Resource and Environment Policy Committee
- Board member Becker County Extension
- Member of Cormorant Lions
- Member of Cormorant Lakes Sportsman Club
- Advisory Board member for Cormorant Lakes Watershed District
- Advisory Board member for Buffalo/Red Watershed District
- Advisory Board member for Wild Rice Watershed District
- Life member of the National Rifle Association
- Past member of LPA Legacy board
- Past president of St. Peter’s Church
- Past secretary of Cormorant Lions
- Coached elementary and high school basketball in numerous positions
- Past Board member of the Association of Minnesota Counties
- Past chair of Natural Resources and Environment
- Past University of Minnesota Advisory Board for Extension
- Past director and secretary for Audubon Coop Elevator
- Past VP of Detroit Lakes Softball Association
- Past member of Midnite Riders Snowmobile club
“I believe that I am the best candidate to carry your voice,” Nelson wrote. “Thank you for your support.”
Bowe covers the Becker County Board and the court system for the Tribune, and handles the opinion pages for the Tribune and Focus. As news editor of both papers, he is the go-to contact person for readers and the general public: breaking or hard news tips, story ideas, questions and general feedback should be directed to him.