EXHIBIT 99(a)


                        CERTIFICATION OF ANNUAL REPORT

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

1.   The Annual  Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended  December
     31, 2002 (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 the Company.

Dated:  February 14, 2003





                                                        David G. Gartzke
                                                        ------------------------

                                                        David G. Gartzke
                                                        Chairman, President and
                                                        Chief Executive Officer