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Voters in Sibley County’s Third District will narrow candidates from five to two in a primary election on Tuesday, September 9th.

The Third District includes the City of Gaylord, and Dryden and Sibley Townships. Leo Bauer has held the Third District seat for nearly two decades. He is not running for reelection.

Candidates vying to fill Bauer’s seat include Mark Brandt, James Flantz, Karl Kuphal, Jim Swanson and Dan Uecker.

Below are summaries to candidates’ responses to a recent questionnaire distributed by The Gaylord Hub.

Mark Brandt

Working with other people to find solutions to today’s challenges and looking into the future of Sibley County. Those are among the reasons Mark Brandt is running for county commissioner.

Brandt believes he has the background to be a good commissioner. Currently operating the “family farm,” Brandt says he has a personal stake in a strong agricultural base in the community.

Environmental issues are among the top concerns facing Sibley County, according to Brandt. He also believes the County needs to be engaged in the potential route for the CAPX electrical transmission line. It is being proposed that this line runs through Sibley County.

Brandt feels the Third District has opportunities for growth in the rural area and in Gaylord. Cleaning up Lake Titloe is also an opportunity for the Third District, according to Brandt. He believes runoff from residential and agricultural areas needs to be addressed and corrected. Another issue facing the Third District, according to Brandt, is maintaining the drainage and road systems.

Brandt is a member of the Gaylord Sertoma Club and past member of the Gaylord Jaycees and Rotary. He has served on the Gaylord Ambulance Service for the past 23 years and is currently on Gaylord’s Citizen’s Planning Committee. For the past 13 years, Brandt has served on the Sibley East School Board. He is also a Death Investigator for the county and a member of the Extension Committee.

Brandt owns and operates a farm in Sibley Township and he is a Lead Operator at Heartland Corn Products in Winthrop. Brandt and his wife Karen have two children, Staci and Jacob.

James Flantz
James Flantz is a lifelong resident of Sibley County and a graduate of Gaylord High School. He is also a graduate of Mankato Vocational School and has farmed south of Gaylord for 37 years.

A strong interest in local government and desire to meet the needs of the residents of Sibley County. Those are the reasons Flantz is running for County Commissioner. A former township supervisor, Flantz believes he would be a strong advocate for the Third District.

Bringing new businesses and employment opportunities here tops Flantz’s list of issues facing the county. Also important are zoning ordinances, due to the changing agricultural practices and urban expansion in eastern Sibley County, Flantz explained. He also believes the county needs to improve and upgrade its road and ditch systems. Issues concerning Lake Titloe are among the priorities in District Three, according to Flantz.

Flantz has worked for 23 years as Sibley Township supervisor and 10 years as a substitute rural mail carrier. His other qualifications include 8 years on the Board of Directors of Kelso Mutual Insurance Company, two years as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kelso-Shelby Mutual Insurance Company. He also is the current treasurer of the Gaylord Game Protective League and has held several church board positions.

Karl Kuphal
Drug problems with youth and young adults is among the primary problems facing Sibley County today, according to Karl Kuphal.

Another issue facing the county is unfunded mandates from the State of Minnesota, Kuphal explained. He believes the County also needs to focus on social services and health care for senior citizens.

Being a watchful member on budget matters and listening to all inquiries and complaints from citizens. Those are among the reasons Kuphal is running for county commissioner.

A lifelong general contractor, Kuphal says he is familiar with government contracts and bidding procedures. His background has also included working with budgets on a state, county and city level.

Kuphal attended Gaylord High School and is a lifelong resident of Sibley County. He is past president of the Gaylord City Council, Gaylord HRA and Gaylord Jaycees. Kuphal is also a member of St Michael’s Church in Gaylord and is an active member of the local Knights of Columbus chapter.

Kuphal and his wife Sue live in Gaylord. They have 4 grown children and nine grandchildren.

Jim Swanson
Gaylord resident Jim Swanson believes he has the experience, leadership skills and knowledge of how government works to be a good commissioner for the Third District.

A retired Sibley East principal, Swanson was in charge of a large budget and staff. He also led programs and training for 1500 soldiers while a support officer in the Minnesota Air National Guard.

Swanson said he is running for county commissioner because he wants to continue his involvement in the political process. He would like to see people look for ways to make things better, whether it be services offered, good customer service, or just changing the way the county does business. Swanson believes there is more managing going on now versus being proactive and looking for ways to improve the county.

Meeting the needs of an aging population is among the issues facing the county, according to Swanson. Road and bridge maintenance and an improved rail system are also concerns of Swanson. An upgraded rail system could eliminate some wear and tear on county highways, he explained. Swanson would also like to see the county better assimilate our diverse population into the community.

Raised on a dairy/crop farm near Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Swanson is a graduate of Dakota State University with a degree in Social Studies and Political Science.

Swanson and his wife Margi have lived in Gaylord for 19 years. They have three grown children.

Dan Uecker
Dan Uecker has been a Gaylord businessman for the past 21 years. He is the current Financial Associate Advisor to Sibley County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

An interest in local government is the reason why Uecker is running for Sibley County Commissioner. He feels now is the right time to pursue the position.

Balancing the needs and wants of Sibley County citizens during a time of declining state funding and program cuts is the main issue facing the county, according to Uecker. Ensuring the safety of citizens while maintaining a balanced budget is also a concern for Uecker.

Important issues facing the Third District, according to Uecker, are the continued maintenance of the roads and bridges along with the proposed clean-up of the Lake Titloe area.

Uecker has over 20 years experience as a small business owner in finance and industry. He is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord and has served on the church council as elder, usher, vice president, president, board of education and fund management.

A lifelong resident of Sibley County, Uecker lives in Gaylord with his wife Joanne. They have two grown children, Tanya and Nate.