Shawn Mason will return for a second term as International Falls mayor, defeating newcomer Allen Kruse Tuesday.
Mason won reelection with 1,866 votes to Kruse’s 1,052 votes. Twelve write-in votes were cast in the mayoral race.
Incumbent Falls Councilor Cynthia Jaksa was unchallenged for the West Ward seat she was appointed to earlier this year. She’s filling out an expired term left with the resignation of Kelly Meyers. Jaksa got 982 votes Tuesday. Eight write-in votes were cast.
Unchallenged At-Large Councilor Tim “Chopper” McBride received 2,572 votes. Forty-five write-in votes were cast.
Mason said she was grateful for what she sees as a vote of confidence from the residents of International Falls.
“I see this as affirmation we’re moving in the right direction,” she said late Tuesday. “We have a lot of irons in the fire now, laying the foundation to grow our community in new and innovative ways.”
Mason said International Falls has experienced job loss over time, and it will take time to regain those jobs.
“We have the tenacity, leadership and persistence to slowly take International Falls to the prosperity we all hope and dream for,” she said. “We are on our way.”
The past four years have brought a number of accomplishments and achievements that will be celebrated in her next term as mayor, she said.
Meanwhile, she thanked the people who worked on her campaign and said it symbolizes how the community must work together to succeed.
“It was a variety of people from all sections of the community working on a campaign and for the common good of the community,” she said.
Kruse called the campaign “an eye-opening experience” and said he gained valuable experience that he will use in the future.
“I don’t think you’ve seen the last of me,” he said late Tuesday.
Kruse said he’d already congratulated Mason for her win, and added that he appreciated the opportunity to run for the mayor position and noted that the race was a clean one.
“I appreciate the people that did get out and vote for me this time around,” he said.