<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>rex99b5803.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EX-99 (B) GARTZKE CERTIFICATION DATED 5/9/03
<TEXT>
<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 99(b)


                  SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT

I, James K. Vizanko,  Vice  President,  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer 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


                                             James K. Vizanko
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             James K. Vizanko
                                             Vice President, Chief Financial
                                             Officer and Treasurer


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>
