WILLMAR — Kandiyohi County Commissioner Harlan Madsen, who has served the residents of District 5 on the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners since 1994, has decided to suspend his campaign for re-election due to health issues.
Madsen, a farmer from Lake Lillian, filed in May to run for his eighth full term on the County Board, but since then heart problems have caused him to re-evaluate his decision. He is the longest serving member on the current board.
"The last few days have again been a roller coaster of emotions and heartfelt conversations with family and medical personnel. It is imperative that I reduce the schedule and workload stressors that I can control, and focus on my family and my health as my priorities," Madsen said in a Facebook post on Thursday announcing his decision.
He will continue to serve until his term expires at the end of December.
"It has been an honor to represent Kandiyohi County for the past 26 years. I have done my best to research the issues and make decisions that focus on a positive future for our residents. Thank you for letting me be part of your lives. Together we have made a positive difference and have improved the quality of life for our communities," Madsen said in his Facebook post.
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District 5 is the most rural of the commissioner districts, extending across the southern half of the county and including the cities of Atwater, Blomkest, Kandiyohi, Lake Lillian, Prinsburg and Raymond.
In addition to Madsen, two other candidates have filed to run for the District 5 seat. They are Duane Anderson of Lake Lillian and John O. Cunningham of Atwater.
