Chris Husom steps away from Wright County politics with excitement towards the future

Local author Christine Husom is retiring from her position as District 1 Commissioner this December after ten years of public service. Husom has been an integral part of the Wright County community for years, working with all sorts of different governmental departments to make the Wright County citizen’s lives easier. Outside of her role as Commissioner, she participates in church groups, choir, and volunteers, all while being a grandma and best-selling writer. As Husom prepares to retire, it’s important we look back at the incredible role she’s taken in making our communities better and look forward to what’s to come.

Husom became the District 1 Commissioner in 2012, serving Buffalo, Annandale, South Haven, and a few townships in Wright County. As Commissioner, she oversees the operations of the county, which means they do everything from setting the budgets to being the authority on drainage. Each Commissioner sits on about 20 different committees, and Husom is chair of four.

Every day is a little different for Husom. Some days are packed with meetings and public hearings, while others she is taking calls from locals that need resources, have a complaint, or are in a crisis. Though she is always busy, Husom says the job is incredibly rewarding.

“I like just being able to help people with the different issues, but on a larger scale. It takes a lot of vision when you’re standing back and just taking in the growth that we have in Wright County.”

Husom has worked on many projects in her ten years as Commissioner, such as building the Justice Center and four other essential buildings in Wright County that will last decades into the future. She worked to find ways for Wright County to be in compliance with space security and how to keep creating new construction without putting Wright County in debt. In all of her work, her true passion is to do what is best for the taxpayers of Wright County while keeping taxes low.

“I feel very happy about all the progress that we’ve made in the last 10 years, and it’s not just me…the county is just growing so exponentially. And, it’s just to really make the best decisions for the taxpayers of our county and what is the best use of their tax dollars.”

Though Husom is retiring, that doesn’t mean she won’t be busy. Husom has been writing Minnesota-based mystery novels since the release of her first book in 2008, Murder in Winnebago County, and plans to continuing writing more with her freetime. She has already written 12 books and has more in the works. Her fourth novel in the Snow Globe Shop Mysteries series will be released at the end of the year. Husom believes that retiring will shift her priorities, so she is able to focus on writing and marketing her books.

“I’m hoping to get more of a regular writing schedule. My Commissioner job at this stage comes before my writing job. I needed to take care of that and do the best job I can for the citizens of Wright County.”

Along with writing, retiring gives Husom more time to spend with her seven grandkids, her volunteer work at the Rotary and her church, and in her garden. You might find her hosting a family dinner every other Sunday or writing the next great Minnesota mystery at her desk. Though she will be missed as Commissioner, Christine Husom has plenty more adventures to come.