Rachel Braaten Launches Run for Crystal Mayor
**NOTE: This story has been updated on June 5, 2024 to report that current mayor won’t seek re-election.**
Using Hagemeister Nature Area as a backdrop, Crystal resident Rachel Braaten has launched a campaign for mayor.
She could face incumbent Crystal Mayor Jim Adams in the upcoming November election. Adams has since announced he won’t run for re-election.
Braaten describes herself as a “fiscally conservative, socially progressive environmentalist.”
“I want to see my community making a change and I don’t think it needs to cost us money,” said Braaten on Saturday during her campaign launch. “I think we can actually save money by making smart, thoughtful choices for the climate.”
Braaten currently serves on the city’s Environmental Quality Commission and plans to make the environment a top city priority.
Mayoral candidate Rachel Braaten addresses supporters in Crystal.
In addition to environmental initiatives, Braaten wants to see the city end its current road maintenance schedule practice.
“I’d like to see someone take a look at the roads before they do a mill and overlay,” said Braaten. “Right now, they’re just on a schedule. With some thoughtful changes, we can save some money and we can save the environment at the same time.”
When asked about commonalities and differences with the current mayor, Braaten shared similar views with Adams about paying down debt.
“I really like that he’s been paying down our debt here,” said Braaten. “I am concerned that we have such a small tax base in Crystal. So we really need to be thoughtful. And paying down our debt is one way that we can conserve money in the long run.”
Braaten has lived in Crystal since 2009. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from North Dakota State University and a master’s degree in Counseling from St. Cloud State University. She has worked for Clean Water Action, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, among other volunteer initiatives.
Adams has served as mayor in Crystal since his election in 2012. He has been re-elected twice.
Incumbent Crystal Mayor Jim Adams has served three terms.
