Meet the Candidates for Washington County Commissioner District 2

Three candidates are vying for the Washington County commissioner seat for District 2. 

Residents will narrow the election down to two candidates during the primary vote on Tuesday, Aug. 14. The general election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

The Washington County commissioner for District 2 will represent Oakdale, Birchwood Village, Pine Springs, Landfall, and a small portion of White Bear Lake. 

Currentely representing District 2 on the Washington County Board is Bill Pulkrabek. The incumbent is running for his fifth term. The two candidates challenging Pulkrabek are Ted Bearth and Joseph T. Delaney Sr., both of Oakdale.

Here are some quick facts on each candidate:

Bill Pulkrabek

Pulkrabek, 42, has been a Washington County commissioner since 1999. He was the mayor of Oakdale from 1995 to 1998. Pulkrabek is a past president of the Oakdale Business and Professional Association and also a past vice-president of the Co-Action Academic Resources. Pulkrabek received degrees from the University of Minnesota. He lives in Oakdale.

Pulkrabek said he is running for office to uphold Washington County's low property tax rate, which is the lowest of all the metro counties. He wants to "continue the county's excellent record of fiscal accountability and responsibility along with our high quality of life," Pulkrabek said.

Joseph T. Delaney Sr.

 Delaney, 72, is currently a physics teacher at a high school in Minneapolis. He has been a teacher for 37 years. He served in the Peace Corps for two years in Ghana, West Africa. He was the developer of a 34-lot project called Pines of White Bear. Delaney has degrees from the University of St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota. He has been married to his wife for 37 years and has four children. Delaney is also the son of Edward K. Delaney Sr., who was a former judge and mayor of St. Paul.

Delaney's primary focus will be on job growth in the county. "Nurturing the economic environment is key to getting jobs," Delaney said. 

Ted Bearth

Bearth, 74, has served the public for more than 26 years as mayor and city council member of Oakdale. He is a former member of School District 622 Education Foundation. He is a former Marine and a member of the Oakdale Veteran's Memorial Committee. He is chairman of the Oakdale Summerfest Committee. He is also a founding member of the Oakdale Athletic Association, the treasurer of th Maplewood/Oakdale Lions Club and a member of the Oakdale Parks and Recreation Commission. Bearth is married and has seven children.

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