Paul McDonald

ELY— St. Louis County Commissioner Paul McDonald announced Sunday he will seek re-election to represent District 4, a position he has held since 2019.
“Serving the people of the Fourth District has been one of the great honors of my life,” McDonald said in a statement. “Together, we’ve made meaningful progress on issues that matter—public health, repairing our roads and bridges, services for senior citizens, education, economic development, and quality of life—and I am committed to continuing that work.”
McDonald, now in his seventh year on the board, has held leadership roles at the county, state, and national levels. He previously served as board chair and established the St. Louis County Opioid Remediation Committee to direct settlement funds toward addiction and recovery programs.
He currently chairs the Voyageurs National Park Clean Water Joint Powers Board and the county’s Intergovernmental Committee.
At the state level, McDonald serves as vice chair of the Northern Counties Coalition and chairs the Association of Minnesota Counties Futures Committee. He also sits on the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband and led an effort that saved county taxpayers millions under tax forfeiture provisions.
Nationally, he serves as vice chair of the National Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Committee.
“I pride myself on being a team builder who focuses on practical solutions,” McDonald said. “My passion for our youth, seniors, and veterans is at the heart of everything I do.”
District 4 covers an area larger than Rhode Island. McDonald said he travels more than 35,000 miles annually to meet with constituents across the district.
McDonald received the 2025 Association of Minnesota Counties President’s Award for his statewide leadership.
A Chisholm native, McDonald has lived in Ely for 36 years with his wife, Tracy.
Before his election, he spent 35 years in education, including 29 years as a teacher, coach, and athletic director at Vermilion Community College.