Wayne Hiebert (Mayor of International Falls, Minnesota, candidate 2024)

Wayne Hiebert

Do you have a photo that could go here? Click here to submit it for this profile!

---

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Mayor of International Falls

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army National Guard

Years of service

2007 - 2014

Personal

Birthplace

Tampa, Fla.

Religion

Agnostic

Profession

Laborer

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Wayne Hiebert ran for election to the Mayor of International Falls in Minnesota. He was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.^[source]

Hiebert completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Wayne Hiebert provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 6, 2024:

• Birth date: February 12, 1989
• Birth place: Tampa, Florida
• High school: Falls High School
• Military service: United States Army National Guard, 2007-2014
• Gender: Male
• Religion: Agnostic
• Profession: Laborer
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Empowering Our Community: A Millennial’s Voice for Change, Bridging Generations, and Addressing Your Concerns!
• Campaign Facebook
• Campaign Instagram
• Campaign Twitter

Elections

General election

General election for Mayor of International Falls

Sharon Ball, Wayne Hiebert, Pete Kalar, and Andrew Donald Piekarski ran in the general election for Mayor of International Falls on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Sharon Ball (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Wayne Hiebert (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Pete Kalar (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Andrew Donald Piekarski (Nonpartisan)

---

	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Hiebert in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Wayne Hiebert completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hiebert's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born in the city of Tampa, Florida on February 1989 to Tony and Lisa Hiebert. Shortly after, my family relocated to Hibbing and then to International Falls during my first grade. I grew up in International Falls, surrounded by my two siblings, large extended family and friends. In 2007, I joined the Minnesota Army National Guard and served until 2012. After my daughter was born in 2012, I moved to Wisconsin but returned to International Falls in 2014. I have worked in various jobs and positions since then and have been employed at Packaging Corp of America (PCA) since January 2019 as a Union employee.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I’ve lived and worked in this area for most of my life, so I’m familiar with the concerns and issues affecting local residents—both those within the city limits and those in the surrounding areas.
• Having served in the Minnesota Army National Guard, I’m committed to doing what’s best for our community and its residents. As a veteran, I understand that effective leadership and collaboration are essential for improving our city.
• One of my top priorities is to avoid making promises I can’t keep. That’s why, whenever I make a commitment, I create a draft plan for it. As I conduct research, that plan evolves and becomes more detailed, allowing me to share more information as it develops.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about several key issues, including the urgent need to revamp the Blight System, enhance our sewer and road infrastructure—especially since they frequently flood during heavy rainstorms—and tackle the pressing demand for housing. I’m also focused on our city’s financial situation, aiming for positive changes that will benefit taxpayers.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

As films go, I would say two: "The Pursuit of Happyness" and "The Intern"

"The Pursuit of Happyness" is a film that portrays a person's struggle to create a better life for both himself and his son. To me, it reflects my generation's efforts to thrive with the resources available and to build a brighter future for ourselves and our children

"The Intern" illustrates how the older generation can influence and inspire younger generations. It emphasizes that regardless of age, everyone has valuable wisdom to share that can be beneficial

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Important characteristics for an elected official include the wisdom to listen and learn from past leaders and previous generations, as well as the ability to engage with younger generations. This balance fosters informed decision-making and promotes a collaborative community.

Transparency. As a representative of the people who elected you, being open and honest fosters trust and accountability within the community.

Courage is essential for an elected official. It involves stepping up when others won’t and showing up when others don’t, while also standing firm in one’s moral convictions. This bravery inspires confidence and integrity in leadership.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Having served in the Army I know that the best leadership is those that listen and act on what those around them advise. Along with this time in the Army, I have come to learn organizational skills and asset management. Considering I'm a younger candidate, I am hopeful to give a voice to my generation along with bringing with me the wisdom to listen and learn from our previous generations.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

As mayor, my primary role is to provide leadership and a clear vision for our community. Which includes proposing and implementing local laws and policies that reflect our values. Managing the city’s budget which will align with the needs of our community while promoting transparency and accountability. Public safety is always a top priority, and the mayor will have to work closely with law enforcement and emergency services to ensure that our residents feel secure and supported.

I believe in a few things that aren't completed just the mayor's responsibilities. The importance of community engagement, making it a point to listen to the concerns and ideas of our residents. It’s essential for anyone who is an elected official to foster a sense of collaboration among all those involved in our city. Economic development is considered a core responsibility for the City Council which the mayor is a part of.

Collaboration is key in any elected official role, and many roles will often work alongside other government officials, agencies, and community organizations to address challenges and opportunities.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

On 9/11, I was in science class early in the morning when our teacher brought in a TV. We thought it would be a fun movie day, but instead, we were about to witness something terrible. We spent the whole day watching the news and listening to discussions around us.

We saw people jumping from the buildings, others screaming for help, and injured people stumbling away from the wreckage of the Twin Towers. We also witnessed the bravery of firefighters, police, EMTs, and everyday people stepping in to help.

The day was both inspiring and horrifying, and those images and feelings are forever etched in our minds. For me and my classmates, these events became a part of who we are at such a young age.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Like many parents, I often feel self-doubt. I constantly second-guess my decisions for my child. Talking with her mother and leaning on family and friends has helped a lot, but I still have those lingering thoughts. I want my daughter to grow up happy and well-adjusted, and so far, she seems smart, happy, and doing well. Even though my doubts may not be justified, I know they’ll likely stick around because worrying about your child is something all parents understand.

A mayor is a leader in his or her city. What does that mean to you?

To me, being a mayor means being a leader who represents the people in the city. It means listening to their needs, making decisions that improve the community, and working to create a better place for everyone to live. A good mayor brings people together and helps solve problems.

What do you love most about your city?

What I love most about my city is the blend of urban life and natural beauty. We get to enjoy city luxuries while also having access to a wide range of outdoor activities.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2024 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. President U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

Mayor of International Falls

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram