Voters in part of Itasca County will go to the polls on Tuesday in a special election primary to narrow the field to fill a vacancy on the county board.
Ben DeNucci, Casey Venema, and Roger Weber are vying to fill out the term of Commissioner Mark Mandich, who resigned in June after 18 years representing District 5, which includes Nashwauk, Marble and Calumet, north to Carpenter Township.
Tuesday's primary will narrow the field to two candidates, who will advance to the final election on Dec. 12.
DeNucci is mayor of Nashwauk and the owner of Keewatin Auto Repair. He serves on the board of directors for Range Area Municipalities and Schools, 10,000 Lakes United Way and the Arrowhead Regional Development Council.
"It takes a commitment to putting in the work to address issues from economic development to public safety, social services to land use," he said. "I am no stranger to these things because I am involved with such topics on a daily basis."
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Venema is chairman of Lawrence Lake Township and has also owned a private weld shop for 10 years. He's worked in the timber and mining industries, and is in his eighth year of serving on the Greenway Rec Board.
"I feel that it is my time to give back and work as commissioner for this district. I'm ready to work for the public and area businesses to help move Itasca County forward and be successful," he said.
Weber is a former Nashwauk Township supervisor and longtime community volunteer on building projects; most recently, he traveled to Texas to help victims of Hurricane Harvey rebuild.
Weber said he wants to see change happen in Itasca County.
"Our businesses are being taxed out and people are throwing their hands up," he said, also noting that most lawmakers "know we have to change the system."
Polling places in District 5 will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
