Meet the new candidates for Duluth City Council District 1 seat

DULUTH, MN. (Northern News Now) - Voters will decide between Tim Meyer and Wendy Durrwachter for the Duluth City Council District 1 seat representing the city’s Woodland, Lakeside, and Lester Park areas.

After current Duluth District 1 City Counselor Gary Anderson announced he would not seek re-election this year, voters will be choosing between two new names on the ballot.

The two candidates are new to the city council race. Wendy Durrwachter raised her two kids as a single mother in Duluth by working multiple jobs. Tim Meyer has a dual background in business and working on public service commissions. Their plans for the future of the now-closed Lester Park Golf Course located in District 1 differ as much as their backgrounds.

“My understanding is that Lester Golf Course never, ever profited one cent,” said Durrwachter. “And so I’m concerned about if we reopen it, it would be cost prohibitive to the taxpayer. And if somebody has a really great plan, I’m all for it.”

Meyer, on the other hand, believes he has come up with that plan.

“The plan includes primarily opening 18 holes of the golf course,” said Meyer. “And then taking the late nine and develop that as housing with the HRA taking the lead and master planning that.”

Durrwachter was inspired to run for office after volunteering on a recent grassroots campaign where her fellow volunteers encouraged her to run. She believes her work ethic sets her apart from Meyer.

“I’m very good with relationships,” said Durrwachter. “I’m good at reading people. I am an active listener. I’ve been a restaurant worker for 25 years on the service side, and I have been navigating the dynamics of people my whole life and in my job.”

Meyer ran for a City Council-at-Large seat in 2021 and after not winning, he decided to run again this year.

However, he saw an opportunity with no incumbent at District 1 and thinks what makes him the better candidate is simple.

“It’s experience,” said Meyer. “I’ve served on six different city commissions and I’m currently serving at a state board. My business and architecture experience have been involved, kind of on both sides of the table, both the government side and the private side.”

Differences aside, both Durrwachter and Meyer agree housing and child care would be their top priorities if elected.

Election day is Tuesday November 7, 2023.

For more information on Durrwachter, click here.

For more information on Meyer, click here.

For help finding you polling place, click here.

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