New mayor for North Mankato, Masaad re-elected in Mankato

(KEYC) - There’s a new mayor in North Mankato.

It was an open race for the North Mankato mayoral seat as current Mayor Mark Dehen announced his bid for County Commissioner. Four men were vying for the seat: Scott Carlson, Ben Kaus, Kenneth DeWitte and Warren Anderson. Scott Carlson was the winner of that contest. A teacher at Mankato Area Public Schools, Carlson said he will lead with common sense -- and support efforts to maintain North Mankato’s quality of life, build community and bring more businesses to town.

Current Mankato mayor Najwa Masaad winning her second term. She was first elected in 2018, the first woman to serve in that role in city history.

The business owner says she’s looking forward to her next term.

She’ll be joined by two new city council members: Mike McLaughlin--replacing Karen Foreman-- and Kevin Mettler filling a new Ward 3 seat created by redistricting.

Massad says her top priorities are supporting Mankato’s population and business growth, retaining residents and employees and continuing her advocacy.

“I’m looking forward to hearing new ideas from new council members yet advocating, and I will never give up advocating,” said Mayor Massad. “I will never give up being the champion for Mankato. Wherever I will be, wherever I’m at, Mankato will always be my number one.”

As mentioned, while Massad is Mankato’s first female mayor, she noted she’s not the town’s first Lebanese mayor.

That was Herb Mocol, who held the role from 1974 to 1986.

Another open seat, this time as the top law enforcement officer in Blue Earth County following the retirement of longtime sheriff Brad Peterson. Two department veterans, Captain Paul Barta and drug task force commander Lt. Jeff Wersal, announced their candidacy for the seat with Lt. Wersal winning the race.

And in Nicollet County, current sheriff Dave Lange is seeking a sixth term to lead the department. He faces a challenge from current department investigator Marc Chadderdon with Sheriff Lange winning another term.

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