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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Candidates flock to Cook and Orr city council races

Posted 8/24/22

REGIONAL- Voters in Cook and Orr could reshape the look of city governance in those communities in the Nov. 8 general election, with a dozen candidates vying for five city council seats and two …

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Candidates flock to Cook and Orr city council races

Posted

REGIONAL- Voters in Cook and Orr could reshape the look of city governance in those communities in the Nov. 8 general election, with a dozen candidates vying for five city council seats and two candidates running for Orr mayor.
Mayor Harold Johnston, of Cook, is the only candidate running unopposed for re-election after the Aug. 16 filing deadline.
Orr is assured of having a new mayor after incumbent Joel Astleford did not file for re-election. Orr voters will choose between Robert “Bob” Antikainen and Rocky Hoffman to fill the position.
The Orr City Council seats currently held by Bruce Black and Tom Kennebeck are up for election. While Kennebeck did not file for reelection, Black is seeking to keep his seat on the council. This will be the most crowded field in the area, as Ericka Cote, Joshua Gaskell, Jim Gray, Sean Luce, and Hannah Manick have all filed to run against them. The council seats will go to the top two vote getters.
In Cook, incumbents Jody Bixby and Kim Brunner both have filed to retain their spots. Ivette Reing will be looking to replace one of them.
With the recent resignation of long-time council member Karen Hollanitsch, a special election will determine who will take her place. Erin Danielson, Dave Danz, and Liz Root will compete for that spot.

(Note: This article has been updated from the Aug. 26 print edition to correct an error in reporting on the Orr city council race. The Timberjay regrets the error.)