Three Freeborn County commissioners filed for re-election Tuesday, the first filing day of the season.

Commissioners Mike Lee, Glen Mathiason and Jim Nelson are seeking another term on the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners.

Candidates have until May 31 to file.

Mike Lee

Lee is looking for his second full term on the board as the 5th District commissioner and has several goals, if re-elected.

He said he plans to focus on keeping property taxes in check, allocating tax dollars wisely, growing and creating jobs and keeping roads and bridges safe in a future term.

Lee, 60, said he is proud to represent his constituents.

“Serving the citizens of the 5th District as your commissioner has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” Lee said in a press release. “The experience I have obtained over the last five years has set a solid foundation to serve you better as a commissioner into the future. I am looking forward to getting out and visiting with the citizens of District 5.”

He said he wants to give back to Freeborn County.

“I want the little guy to have a voice,” he said.

Lee and his wife, Renee,  have four grown children — Sarah, Jesse (Jessica), Keri (Mike LeVesque) and Sophie, and six grandchildren: Connor, Jaden, Jace, Emma, Ahna and Allie.

He said he is committed to representing District 5, noting he believes Freeborn County residents deserve nothing less.

Lee was elected in a special election in March 2011. He ran unopposed in 2012.

 

Glen Mathiason

Mathiason is looking to parlay his experience as 1st District commissioner into a fifth term on the board.

Mathiason, 65, said under his watch the board has taken action, such as instituting the sales tax in August. He noted he would like to see roads and bridges be fixed.

He said his experience on the board has provided him with experience on how to get things done.

Mathiason, a lifelong Alden-area farmer, said being on the board keeps him busy and allows him to use his agricultural knowledge to the benefit of Freeborn County citizens.

“It’s a nice place to live and if we can do something to make it better and grow it some. … It would be great,” he said.

Mathiason is involved in a number of boards, including as a chairman for Rural Minnesota Energy. He is a board member of Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance, SEMCAC and a state community health board.

Mathiason, first elected in 2000, has a grown daughter, Shannan, and twin grandchildren: Noah and Bryn.

 

Jim Nelson

District 3 Commissioner Jim Nelson is seeking a fourth term.

Nelson said he wants to focus on improving area roads.

Nelson, 65, said he understands that he is not the only member of the board, noting he understands that cooperation is important.

He spoke highly of board members’ relationships with each other, noting their positive relationship allows them to work together without getting in big fights.

Nelson said he has voted with his heart and has been down to earth since being elected to the board in 2004.

Nelson has been married to his wife, Mary, for 44 years and has a daughter, Jeannine, and a son, Jeremy. He has four grandchildren, is a farmer and drives truck. In his spare time, Nelson enjoys gardening, barbecuing and bowling.

 

Judge announces
candidacy

Third Judicial District Court Judge Steven Schwab also filed for re-election Tuesday.