Grimm wins race for St. Louis County Board seat in western Duluth

DULUTH — Ashley Grimm won a second term representing western Duluth on the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners early Wednesday, withstanding a challenge from 5th District City Councilor Janet Kennedy and soundly defeating her by more than a 3,100-vote margin.

A Denfeld resident, Grimm formerly managed family and employment programming for the Damiano Center. She also served as vice chair of the Duluth Human Rights Commission, where she played a key role in the passage of a Homeless Persons' Bill of Rights.

Some of Grimm's proudest accomplishments during her first term as 3rd District county commissioner included the replacement of a for-profit health care provider in the county jail system with a local nonprofit medical service, improved mental health services, funding for the Gary-New Duluth Rec Center and Skatepark and support for the Lincoln Park Children and Families Collaborative Space. She also advocated for benefits to assist unhoused veterans during her tenure and successfully lobbied for planning funds for the Valley Youth Center.

Grimm chairs St. Louis County's Public Safety Commission.

While Kennedy likely came up short in her county board bid, she continues to represent Duluth's westernmost district on the City Council, with her second term slated to expire in January 2028. Last year, she became the first Black person to be elected City Council president. Kennedy also broke ground by being the first African American to win election to the City Council in 2019.

Kennedy is a retired physical therapy clinician and director of rehabilitation. She also is the owner and principal director of operations for Healthy Alliances Matter LLC.

Three other St. Louis County commissioners also were reelected Tuesday in uncontested races: Patrick Boyle, representing eastern Duluth's 2nd District; Keith Musolf, of Hermantown, representing the 5th District; and Mike Jugovich, of Chisholm, representing the 7th District.