Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

4 file for mayor, 7 for council in Delano



Four people tossed their names into the hat to be Delano’s next mayor as the filing period came to a close Tuesday.

The City of Delano has two, four-year city council seats up for election, as well as its four-year mayor position.

Each person who filed for mayor is listed below alphabetically, along with a brief introduction of each candidate. Closer to the election, the Delano Herald Journal will profile all of the candidates in more detail.

The Delano Area Chamber of Commerce will also be sponsoring a candidate forum in October.

Who will be next mayor?

• Mary Emery

Emery has been a lifelong Delano resident lifelong resident and is legal assistant in Wayzata.

She was elected to the city council in 2002, and currently serves as the liaison to the Delano Fire Department, Wright County Sheriff’s Department, and is also the treasurer of Delano Economic Development Authority.

Emery is also a speaker/educator/treasurer for the Delano Area MEADA (methamphetamine education and drug awareness).

• Michael Mathisen

Mathisen has lived in Delano since 1975 and is the president of Mass Finishing Inc. in Howard Lake.

Mathisen has served on the Delano Planning Commission for three years, the Delano City Council for five years, and the Public Utilities Commission for nine years.

• Joseph McDonald

McDonald has been in business in Delano for 18 years, and has lived in town for about eight years. He is the owner and master photographer at McDonald’s Studio in Delano.

McDonald is a current city council member, serving his second term. He was elected to a four-year term in 2000, and won his bid for re-election in 2004. McDonald currently serves as the liaison to the public safety commission, liaison to fourth of july committee, and is the vice president of the Delano Economic Development Authority.

McDonald was the president of Delano Area Chamber of Commerce in 1998, and is also a member of the Lions Club, Delano Jaycees, and the Knights of Columbus.

• Jon Steinmetz

Steinmetz has been a Delano resident for 10 years and owns Jon Steinmetz Realty in Delano.

He was first elected to the Delano City Council in 2000, with that term ending in 2002 when he was elected to the four-year position of mayor, succeeding John Jaunich.

Steinmetz currently serves as the president of the Delano Economic Development Authority, president and founder of the Delano-Franklin Historical Society, and liaison to the park and recreation committee.

Seven people have filed for the two Delano City Council positions that are up for election this November.

The council seats are currently served by Mary Emery and Brad Hotchkiss.

• Larry Bartels

Bartels has been a Delano resident for 49 years, and sells building materials for Lambert’s in Rockford.

He served on the Delano City Council from 1991 to 2002, and is also currently on the Delano Water, Light, and Power Commission.

• Brad Hotchkiss

Hotchkiss was unable to be contacted by phone after the filing period closed.

Hotchkiss was appointed to the city council in January 2005 to complete a term vacated by Tom Emmer. He currently serves as a liaison from the council to the Delano Water, Light, and Power Commission and the Community Education Advisory Commission.

• Harlan Lewis

Lewis has lived in Delano since 1987, and is a retired production manager from a medical device company in Eden Prairie.

This is the first time Lewis has run for public office.

• Marc Plese

Plese has lived in Delano for one year, and has split time between Wisconsin and Minnesota. He is the assistant vice president of IT Operations for TN Marketing in Plymouth

This is Plese’s first time running for public office.

• Peg Polingo

Polingo lived in Delano for 10 years, but moved two years ago to relocate for her job. She has resided in the city again since July, and works in the claims department for All State Insurance.

This is Polingo’s first time running for public office.

• Mike Russek

Russek is a lifelong resident of Delano and is employed at Dura Supreme in Howard Lake.

He ran for city council four years ago, and has served parks and recreation committee in the past.

• Paul Stansberry

Stansberry has lived in Delano for 11 years, and is in the process of opening an insurance office in Delano.

Stansberry is presently the chairman of the Delano Planning Commission. He has also served on the storm water task force, and as a member of the comprehensive planning commission.

Stansberry ran for city council two years ago.

Roger Smith also filed for city council, but a letter of rejection had to be sent to him because he had also filed for a position with the Delano School Board, and cannot serve on both government bodies at the same time, according to city staff.

The general election will be Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.