Karl Helgevold goes from the Wright County Supervisors Boardroom to the White House in D.C.

Just because you’re from a little town in the Midwest, it doesn’t mean you can’t be a part of politics in the nation’s capital.  All it takes is the desire, persistence, and motivation to express your concerns and voice your opinions in government.  That’s exactly what Karl Helgevold of rural Eagle Grove has been doing for 10 years as a member of the Wright County Board of Supervisors.  It’s that dedication as a public servant, as well as a politically-minded individual, that has allowed him to be invited to the White House in Washington, D.C. not just once, but three times.  The first time was about three years ago.  He and the Sheriff Jason Schluttenhofer  were invited to meet with Vice President Mike Pence to talk about and members of his cabinet for discussions that ranged from trade to the opiate crisis.

“The communication was open...it was fascinating they brought us in on that,” said Helgevold.

The second time, unfortunately, he was not able to make the trip to D.C. as his schedule did not allow.  But this last time, he cleared his schedule despite the late notice.

Helgevold’s most recent trip was to witness the U.S. China Phase 1 Trade Agreement signing that took place on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020.

“It was an honor to be there...because the China Trade Agreement affects Wright County and agriculture,” Helgevold said, admittedly a bit shocked to receive the invitation by email.

When he found out later he was one of only two supervisors (the other being from Kossuth County) to be invited, he was even more grateful.

For the full story, see this week's Monitor