Personnel committee advances three candidates for Duluth City Council District 2 after interviews

The Duluth City Council personnel committee on May 20 held interviews with seven applicants to fill the District 2 council vacancy and, after ranked-choice ballots, advanced three candidates for a second-round interview at the full council meeting.

The committee called seven applicants for 20-minute interviews: Craig Bursch, Deborah (Deb) DeLuca, Eric Lindell, Janet Nelson, Erin (Aaron) Rose, Sam Weston and one other. Candidates emphasized housing, infrastructure and constituent access to city government as priorities. After the interviews, the clerk tabulated ranked-choice ballots and announced the top three: Deb DeLuca (22 points), Craig Bursch (11 points) and Janet Nelson (10 points). The three will return for extended interviews at the Monday City Council meeting.

Why it matters: The appointment fills an open seat on Duluth’s nine-member council, restoring representation for District 2 while the council completes a short-term appointment process. Committee members said the top three will receive additional questioning at the full council meeting before the council votes on an appointment.

Candidates’ focus and notable remarks Craig Bursch said he would contribute immediately on infrastructure topics, citing his professional experience in civil engineering and local infrastructure report-card work: “that’s something I can contribute to on day 1.” Bursch described neighborhood traffic and parking around summer events as a near-term problem he could address.

Deb DeLuca framed her candidacy around extensive local government and port-authority experience and said she had flexibility to serve immediately: “I have flexibility.” DeLuca told the committee she has led executive teams and grant work at state and local levels and emphasized collaborative problem solving.

Eric Lindell, who noted previous municipal experience, said he would press for clearer communication between government and residents: “I care about the future of the city.” Janet Nelson highlighted labor, constituent-service and nonprofit experience, citing her work with federal and state offices and unions.

Sam Weston and Erin Rose (listed on the application as Erin Rose) advocated for zoning and housing changes, improved transit, and increased public engagement; Weston said he applied because he was “tired of my city constantly tripping over itself” and urged bolder steps to retain residents and attract new development.

Next steps and process details The personnel chair said the three top candidates will appear before the full Duluth City Council at its next meeting for longer, 20-minute question blocks. The chair and clerk explained the council will use ranked-choice ballots in the personnel committee to identify the three finalists and that the Monday session will permit further questioning before the council moves to amend and vote on the resolution that appoints a person to the vacancy.

City clerk (staff) tabulated the results and announced the points totals identifying DeLuca, Bursch and Nelson as the top three. The personnel chair said the council may extend interview time on Monday if counselors need more time, but that the council meeting will begin that evening; the clerk will post public notice of any schedule changes.

Ending The council’s final appointment will follow the Monday interviews and any subsequent council discussion; the personnel committee did not make a final appointment on May 20.