<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>rex99a5803.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EX-99 (A) GARTZKE CERTIFICATION DATED 5/9/03
<TEXT>
<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 99(a)


                  SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT

I, David G. Gartzke,  Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of ALLETE,
Inc.  (ALLETE),  certify  pursuant to Section 906 of the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act of
2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

1.   The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of ALLETE for the quarterly period  ended
     March 31, 2003 (Report) fully complies with  the  requirements  of  Section
     13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

2.   The information contained in the Report fairly presents,  in  all  material
     respects, the financial condition and results of operations of ALLETE.


Dated:  May 9, 2003



                                             David G. Gartzke
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             David G. Gartzke
                                             Chairman, President and
                                             Chief Executive Officer


A signed  original of this  written  statement  required by Section 906 has been
provided  to  ALLETE  and  will be  retained  by  ALLETE  and  furnished  to the
Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
