As partisan politics reaches into local races, one organization looks to strengthen ‘rural democracy’
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Minnesota’s State Canvassing Board met last week to certify this year’s election, a final step in what was perhaps one of the most unpredictable election cycles in recent history.
But while the election may be over, the work to strengthen “rural democracy” continues for Celeste Koppe, who is the rural strategist at West Central Initiative. She said her region continues to face a shortfall of people wanting to run for local offices.
“We have observed that still plenty of seats went uncontested during these local elections,” said Koppe. “So, we’re continuing in this cultural shift.”
Top of mind for her as she carries on this work: the greater influence of partisan politics on local elections.
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“We’re seeing this lens of conflict be applied to local issues, races like wards of small cities, certainly at the county level,” she said.”
It’s a concern Koppe and her team hope they can address in the future through creating more opportunities where community members can convene to solve hyperlocal issues together.
“As we’re out here looking to bring folks together to look at things like adding another stoplight or looking at how to bring another amenity to town — I think it lies in what’s in front of us, what we can do together and pushing back on some of this divisiveness that is coming from a federal level.”
To hear the full interview with Celeste Koppe, click play on the audio player above.