New leadership on the horizon for Pelican Rapids, where ICE stepped up immigration enforcement earlier this year

Barring the off chance of a write-in candidate, Don Perrin will be elected Pelican Rapids' new mayor next week. Perrin is running unopposed and will replace longtime mayor Brent Frazier, who is not seeking reelection.

Frazier gained attention last winter for his response to federal immigration agents' presence in the city. At the time, Frazier said dealing with ICE wasn't his job, but he supported its actions. That included the arrests of several members of the immigrant community by federal agents.

“ICE is here doing their job, looking for people that have broke (sic) the law,” said Frazier back in January, during a monthly public meeting at the town’s library. “To what degree, I don't know, but there's a list, and they have that list, and I do not know what that list looks like."

Frazier’s comments angered many immigrant residents. According to U.S. Census data from 2025, more than 25 percent of residents in Pelican Rapids are foreign born.

A Jennie-O turkey processing plant is a major employer in the area and a big draw for immigrant workers.

If elected, Perrin will be the city's first new mayor in over a decade. At a recent public forum, he said most immigrants there are good people.

"The people that are here to work for their family and be involved in the community, I think it'd be great if we figure out a way to help them become legal,” he said. “Because if they're illegal, they're always going to be in fear."

Ivan Olson, a member of a local activist group in Pelican Rapids, has been vocal in his opposition to how immigrants in town were treated during the federal immigration crackdown.

Olson was also briefly on the ballot for mayor before withdrawing. He said Perrin is an excellent choice to lead the city.

“He's got an open mind, open ears, and he's in the business of taking care of people at his small business in town. It should be no different once he takes office,” Olson said. “I'm excited to see what new ideas he has for the town and how he implements them.”

Perrin’s stance on issues

Perrin grew up on a dairy farm south of Pelican Rapids. After receiving a degree in pharmacy from North Dakota State University, he lived in Austin in southeastern Minnesota for a few years. Perrin moved back to Pelican Rapids in 1982. He is the owner of Pelican Drug.

He did not respond to a request for an interview.

Pelican Rapids currently lacks a building inspector, and a 2024 study showed that 25 percent of its housing is either dilapidated or needing major repairs.

At the candidate forum, Perrin said housing should be safe for renters, but landlords need time to make fixes that are required of them.

“Right now if they take too long, they get a $500 fine, and they go to court. It's criminal court, which definitely got their attention,” Perrin said. “I think we are a little too aggressive, and I think they need the time to be able to do what they're supposed to do, and I think they're willing to do it.”

Another issue Perrin recently weighed in on is the state flag’s redesign. Many cities across Minnesota have chosen to fly the old one, which has drawn criticism for its representation of Native people. Perrin said he is not a fan of the new flag, which has a more abstract design.

"Truthfully, I don't like the new flag,” he said. “I think it's too boring. But I would probably fly the old one until they changed the new one to something a little bit nicer."

Kevin Ballard is a former City Council member. He also runs Ballard Sanitation Inc., a local business in its 75th year of operation. Ballard said Perrin won’t have much influence on policy unless the other council members support Perrin’s vision.

“I sat under two different mayors. Both of them did a fine job. They had little nuances that they threw into the meetings. But other than that, it's all kind of the same,” Ballard said. “You're one voice of five, so you're not really going to spark change other than you can start a debate, you can ask a question and just get it out in the public.”

Before running for mayor, Perrin was on the school board for 20 years. He also currently serves on the City Council.

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