The period to file as a candidate for county offices in 2014 is open for a few more days, until Tuesday, June 3. As of Wednesday, May 28, nearly every space on the ballot had at least one candidate.
The most hotly contested race is County Commissioner District 1, in which five candidates have filed—John W. Bockovich, Steve Fleace, and Harry Drabik, all of Hovland and Frank Moe and Jerry Hiniker of Colvill. There will be a primary election on August 12 for that district to narrow the race to two candidates for the November 4 general election.
At the county board meeting on May 27, incumbent District 1 Commissioner Janice Hall confirmed rumors that she would not be filing for reelection. Hall told the Cook County News-Herald that she has decided not to run for reelection, “with a heavy heart.”
In Commissioner District 5, incumbent Bruce Martinson was the only candidate that had filed last week. On May 27, Tim Goettl of Lutsen filed to run against Martinson. Goettl is a Lutsen township supervisor. Unless another West End candidate files, Martinson and Goettl will not be on the August 12 primary ballot, but will face one another in November.
The incumbent commissioner in District 3, Sue Hakes, has announced that she is not running for reelection. Jan Sivertson of Grand Marais has filed for that office and as of May 28 is still unopposed.
The Cook County Sheriff race has two candidates, both who declared their candidacy before the filing period opened, Deputies Patrick S. Eliasen and Leif Lunde. Incumbent Sheriff Mark Falk announced that he would be retiring on June 30, 2014.
The sheriff race encountered a bit of controversy as candidates were informed of a statute prohibiting when campaign signs can be erected. Both candidates had offered campaign signs to their supporters and signs were seen in yards throughout the county. However, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State website, Minnesota Statute 211B.045 restricts the placement of election lawn signs from 46 days before the primary to 10 days after the general election. In 2014, that period begins June 27 and ends November 14.
At press time, both candidates had removed their signs from outside the Grand Marais city limits. On his “Pat Eliasen for Sheriff” Facebook page, Deputy Eliasen explained that he was leaving his signs up within the city while he researched whether the city had a similar ordinance restricting when signs could be displayed.
Both sheriff candidates have stated they would post their signs again on June 27.
There are two positions up for election on the Cook County Soil & Water District board. Last week only one candidate had filed for that board, Nancye Belding in District 3. On May 28, Jim Hall of Lutsen filed to run against Belding.
No one has filed yet for the Soil & Water District 4 seat.
Two other county officials, Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers and Recorder Dusty Nelms have both filed for reelection and are unopposed.
Molly Hicken, who has been fulfilling county attorney duties since County Attorney Tim Scannell went on medical leave on October 13, 2013, is running for that office.
The City of Grand Marais, the Cook County North Shore Hospital District and School District 166 have a different election filing period. Candidates for those offices must file between July 29 – August 12.
Candidates can find guides for filing for office and more information at the Cook County Auditor’s office.
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