REGIONAL— Paul McDonald is widely known across the region as a teacher and a basketball coach. He’d soon like to be known as a county commissioner.
McDonald, an Iron Range native and longtime Ely resident, announced Tuesday that he will be a candidate for St. Louis County Board, representing the Fourth District. He would be replacing current County Commissioner Tom Rukavina, who isn’t seeking re-election due to health reasons.
McDonald, who grew up in Chisholm in a family devoted to high school sports, has been athletic director at Vermilion Community College for the last 28 years, in addition to his coaching and teaching. During that time, McDonald has represented his faculty union in St. Paul and has held several other important leadership positions, including four years as a board member of the Minnesota High School League and as a current member of the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Region 13 Executive Committee.
McDonald believes that his leadership experience and extensive work with young people would serve him well as a county commissioner.
McDonald said he prefers to focus on problem solving, with a leadership style geared toward listening and providing better outcomes for everyone. “I want to apply my experience and commitment so that all citizens of St. Louis County, from babies to senior citizens, have a good quality of life,” he said.