St. Louis County Commissioner Paul McDonald announced that he will seek re-election to the St. Louis County Board, representing the Fourth District, a position he has held since 2019 and now enters his seventh year of service.
“Serving the people of the Fourth District has been one of the great honors of my life,” said McDonald. “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.”
Since joining the County Board, McDonald has built a reputation as a collaborative leader and tireless advocate for Northeastern Minnesota. During his tenure, the Board has advanced initiatives to reconnect students to schools, expand mental health services, promote workforce and economic development, and invest in critical infrastructure—even amid the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
McDonald was first elected in 2018 and has since held numerous leadership roles at the county, state, and national levels. He previously served as Board Chair, where he established the St. Louis County Opioid Remediation Committee to ensure settlement funds are used strategically to address addiction and recovery. He currently serves as Chair of the Voyageurs National Park Clean Water Joint Powers Board and Chair of the St. Louis County Intergovernmental Committee.
At the state level, McDonald is Vice Chair of the Northern Counties Coalition, Chair of the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) Futures Committee, and led Minnesota Counties to develop legislation that saved St. Louis County taxpayers millions of dollars under tax forfeiture provisions. He also serves on the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband.
Nationally, McDonald is Vice Chair of the National Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Committee, advocating for responsible land use, recreation, and economic vitality in rural communities and delivers federal money to support local outdoor recreation.
“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. If we work together, we can continue to make our county a vibrant and rewarding place to live, work, and recreate.”
St. Louis County’s Fourth District is vast—larger than the state of Rhode Island. McDonald has traveled more than 35,000 miles each year to meet with constituents, attend meetings, and remain accessible to communities across the district.
“My entire professional life has been dedicated to helping people,” McDonald said. “As your county commissioner, I answer that call every day, and with your support, I will continue to do so.”
McDonald currently also chairs the Northeast Minnesota Joint Powers ATV Board and serves as Vice Chair of the Joint Powers Emergency Communications Board. He is a member of the AEOA Board, the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority, the Solid Waste and Septic Committee, and the Well-Being Development Board.
In recognition of his leadership and impact, McDonald received the 2025 Association of Minnesota Counties President’s Award, honoring a commissioner whose work is valued statewide.
A Chisholm native, McDonald has lived in Ely for the past 36 years with his wife, Tracy. He is the father of two adult daughters, Megan and Natalie. Prior to his election, McDonald spent 35 years in education and refereeing, including 29 years as a teacher, coach, and Athletic Director at Vermilion Community College.
