Two candidates are currently seeking the District 6 seat on the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners.
Heather Edelson, a former State Representative and long-time public servant, has focused her campaign on community engagement, collaboration, and environmental policy. She highlights her experience in the Minnesota House of Representatives, emphasizing her ability to work across political lines. Edelson has expressed a commitment to public service. “I care about public service… it’s not about me, it’s about how we engage our community and government to get good things done,” she said. One of the key policy issues in her campaign is a controversial bill she co-authored to phase out gas-powered lawnmowers and leaf blowers in favor of electric alternatives. Edelson defended the bill, noting that it was based on data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about the pollution caused by small engines and explained that the proposal aimed to incentivize cleaner technologies through grants.
Edelson has also made headlines for voting against a substantial pay raise for county commissioners. She called the proposed 49% salary increase “too much” and expressed concern about its timing, given ongoing negotiations with labor unions. “We are stewards of taxpayer funds,” she said, further adding that she believes elected officials should not remain in office for long periods to prevent entrenched political power.
Marisa Simonetti, a first-time candidate, is positioning herself as an advocate for fiscal conservatism and accountability in the Hennepin County government. A major pillar of her platform is her opposition to rising property taxes, which she believes are becoming increasingly burdensome for residents. Simonetti argues for more careful management of the county’s budget. “We need to stop the continuous increase in property taxes and prioritize how taxpayer dollars are being spent,” Simonetti said.
In addition to her policy stances, Simonetti has faced public scrutiny for her recent arrest in Edina on charges of assault. While Edelson has largely refrained from focusing on the incident, Simonetti has defended herself, calling it a misunderstanding and expressing confidence that the charges will be dismissed. Simonetti has also criticized the Edina Police Department for their response to the scene, emphasizing that she believes she was arrested improperly.
Simonetti remains vocal about her support for the Second Amendment and has emphasized the need for law enforcement reform in certain areas, advocating for trauma-informed policing and community-based alternatives to traditional law enforcement responses.
Simonetti’s campaign is heavily focused on government transparency and efficiency. She has pledged to bring a “fresh perspective” to the Board, vowing to reduce wasteful spending and to hold county officials accountable for their actions. “[The] government should work for the people, not for itself,” Simonetti said.
Simonetti has also criticized Edelson’s environmental stance, specifically the bill to phase out gas-powered lawnmowers. Simonetti referred to it as a “superficial attempt” to appear environmentally friendly, suggesting it would have a minimal impact on overall emissions.
This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on November 4, 2024
