Hear from Grand Marais mayor and city council candidates

Kalli Hawkins | September 30, 2026

The Nov. 3 general election ballot includes a race for Grand Marais mayor and three candidates running for two Grand Marais City Council seats.

WTIP spoke individually with each candidate about issues facing Grand Marais, including housing, short-term rentals, city services, infrastructure, the wastewater treatment facility, economic development, and other community priorities.

Grand Marais Mayor – Tracy Benson

Incumbent Tracy Benson is running unopposed for another term as Grand Marais mayor.

Benson spoke with WTIP’s Josh Hinke about issues facing the city, her experience serving as mayor, and priorities for the city moving forward.

Listen to the interview below.

WTIP Community Radio · Grand Marais Mayor Candidate Tracy Benson

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Grand Marais City Council

Grand Marais City Council Candidate Bill Lovaas

Grand Marais City Council Candidate Dane Kufa

Three candidates are running for two seats on the Grand Marais City Council: incumbent Ben Peters, incumbent Bill Lovaas, and Dane Kufa. The two candidates with the most votes will secure a seat on the city council.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with each candidate individually about city priorities, areas for improvement, housing, infrastructure, protecting dark skies, clean water, and more.

Listen to the interviews below.