Clay County Commission Districts

David Ebinger
District 5

Joel Paulsen
District 5

Paul Krabbenhoft
District 1

Though voters will be casting ballots in three of the five districts that make up the Clay County Commission, only the winner of one seat is in question.
Ballots in three districts will carry candidates’ names. However, only one, the area of southwest Moorhead that makes up District 5, is competitive. There, incumbent David Ebinger is facing newcomer Joel Paulsen. District 5, which they’re competing to represent, encompasses the southwest portion of Moorhead along the Red River.
Incumbent Paul Krabbenhoft is campaigning unopposed to retain his seat. He represents District 1 in southeast Moorhead.
Ezra Baer of Hawley is running for the only open seat, that of District 2. It includes Dilworth, Felton, Georgetown, Glyndon, Hawley, Hitterdal, Ulen and surrounding 16 townships.
Two commissioners are not up for election on Nov. 5 – Kevin Campbell of District 4, including much of Moorhead’s Wards 1 and 2 as well as Oakport Township; and Jenny Mongeau of District 3 south and east of Moorhead. It includes one precinct of Moorhead’s Ward 4 as well as Barnesville, Comstock, Sabin and the surrounding rural area.
David Ebinger,
District 5
District 5 commissioner David Ebinger is seeking his second term on the county commission. A veteran of 40 years in law enforcement, he served with the Little Rock (Arkansas) Police Department before becoming Moorhead’s chief of police, a position he held for 12 years. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice from the University of Arkansas. His wife Lynne Flanders is a retired psychotherapist; they have two adult daughters.
“The issues that seem to loom largest with people I have talked to are housing, the work force and child care,” he said. “It’s important to see the links between theses issues. Lack of adequate, affordable child care eliminates many potentially valuable employees from the work force. The same holds true with housing. Adequate housing is a fundamental resource in attracting both employees and employers to our communities.” He emphasized that it’s critical that Clay County government remains engages with our state representatives about these needs.
Ebinger said he is happy to run on his record: “I have been active in this community for the 18 years we have lived here, including my full term as a county commissioner.” He cited projects including the Red River Regional Dispatch Center, the Lake Agassiz Regional Library and the Metro Flood Diversion as examples of establishing solid relationships with regional leaders to provide quality, affordable government.
Joel Paulsen, District 5
Joel Paulsen, who previously served on the Moorhead City Council, is challenging Ebinger to represent southwest Moorhead on the county board.
Paulsen said, “I bring 20 years of experience as a consulting engineer and a deep understanding of public infrastructure, budgeting and project management. My leadership as executive director of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority demonstrates my ability to manage large, complex projects while balancing public and private interests.”
He added, “As a former Moorhead City Council member, I know the value of collaboration between the county and its cities. If elected, I will work to make government more efficient, transparent, and responsive, ensuring that we maintain excellent services while controlling spending to keep taxes low.
“Additionally, I will push to include an income tax exemption equivalent to North Dakota’s tax rate within the existing border city legislation, creating a more competitive and attractive environment for residents and businesses along the state line.”
He pointed to several challenges facing the county in the coming year. “Strengthening partnerships with our local cities, especially Moorhead, will be crucial to address shared concerns efficiently. Managing the impacts of regional growth, ensuring our infrastructure keeps pace, and providing high-quality public services without overburdening taxpayers will also be key. Additionally, public safety, housing affordability, and maintaining fiscal discipline in a challenging economic environment will require proactive and transparent governance.
Paul Krabbenhoft,
District 1
Like Ebinger, Paul Krabbenhoft was elected in 2021 and is seeking his second term. A lifelong Clay County resident, he has been a Realtor for more than 36 years. He serves on the government affairs committee of the Minnesota Association of Realtors, where he has helped develop policies on housing affordability and protecting property rights for the Legislature. He is also on the boards of the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County and the Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership.
He was an elected member of the Clay Soil and Water Conservation District board for 37 years. During the last, he was also president of the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
With Clay County as one of the fastest growing counties in the state, he said, come greater opportunities and challenges. “In order to keep up with increasing demand, we need to be focused on the quality and efficiency of our county services,” he said. “We must continue to provide a healthy working environment and culture that builds upon employee initiative, creativity, and success. Social Services and Public Health continue to be challenged with improving mental health issues, mitigating substance abuse, and addressing housing needs.”
Ezra Baer,
District 2
Ezra Baer, the single candidate for the seat representing much of northern and eastern Clay County, declined to provide information to the FM Extra for this story. He is running to replace retiring county commissioner Frank Gross, who has served on the county board since 2013 but is not running for reelection.