Peder Jothen

I'm Peder Jothen, and I've lived in Northfield since 2005, not counting a stint as a St. Olaf student in the early 1990s. I was raised in states from Ohio to Colorado to Maryland, and I've taught abroad in Eastern Europe, but I can't imagine living anywhere other than Northfield. I share a life with my wife Kaethe, our daughter Thisbe (an NHS student), our son Matteus (an NMS student), and our dog Quimby. You can often find us around Way Park.

I've volunteered as a baseball, soccer, and Nordic ski coach, a middle-school orchestra tuner, and a church confirmation teacher. I served on Northfield's Park and Recreation Board from 2017–25 (until it was frustratingly disbanded), and on the Riverfront Enhancement Advisory Committee from 2018–2020. I've served two terms on the Friends of Way Park Board, including as treasurer, and as a council member at Bethel Lutheran Church. Before moving to Northfield, I worked with housing non-profits, including Habitat for Humanity.

Public service also connects to my day job as a college professor at St. Olaf, where I teach courses on religion, philosophy, and ethics. Much of my day is spent thinking about the shape of a well-lived life, and a key feature of one is the willingness to actively care about the common good.

I'm running for the Ward 4 City Council seat because I care about Northfield's livability, especially its affordability and its sense of community. I believe these experiences qualify me to be a strong advocate for Ward 4. I'd be proud to have your support.