One of Pat Martinson’s goals is to keep Albert Lea in the 21st century.

Because the auditor-treasurer is running unopposed in this November’s elections, she’ll be able to keep working toward that goal.

Martinson was appointed by the Freeborn County commissioners to take over for Dennis Distad on Jan. 1, 2013, after he retired. She was chief deputy auditor-treasurer at the time and had been training under Distad to transition into the role. She’s been working in the Freeborn County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office since 1990. This is her first election as a candidate.

Along with managing county funds and records and calculating tax capacity rates, part of Martinson’s position involves managing and updating election equipment when it’s needed. She said that there won’t be any changes to the equipment this year; the same M100 tabulator and automatic assisted voting equipment will be used to count votes this year.

Martinson, 55, lives at 491 Center Ave. in Glenville with her husband, Brad. They have two adult sons, Leif and Kelsey, who live and work in the area.

When asked why she wants to continue being the auditor-treasurer, Martinson had no shortage of reasons. She said she’s devoted a lot of her career to Freeborn County and likes working in the area. She feels she has a good background in the area and wants to keep technology in Albert Lea updated.

“There’s a lot to accomplish,” she said.

While she’ll be auditor-treasurer for the next four years, she said she plans to take each term at a time.

“In this job you have to,” she said. “I’ll be here as long as voters keep electing me.”

The election is Nov. 4.