As the deadline nears for candidates to file to run for office, the race for county commissioner seats is getting interesting, with candidates challenging each of the three commissioners and setting the wheels in motion for a primary election in district 3.
At press time on Thursday, May 27, 2010, all three incumbent commissioners had opponents. In District 1, incumbent Jan Hall of Hovland filed for re-election on May 19, the day after the filing period opened. Her challenger, former County Attorney Bill Hennessy of Colvill, filed on May 26.
In Commissioner District 5, incumbent Bruce Martinson of Schroeder filed on the opening of the filing period, May 18. He is being challenged by a Tofte resident, Paul James, a Tofte supervisor.
Commissioner District 3 is the race that is triggering a primary election. At press time, three candidates had filed. Grand Marais Mayor Sue Hakes filed at the opening of the filing period, on May 18. Incumbent Robert (Bob) Fenwick filed on May 25, as did the third candidate Keith Kuckler. The primary to narrow the race to two candidates for the November ballot will be held Tuesday, August 10.
There have been no challengers for other county offices—County Attorney Tim Scannell, Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers, Recorder Dusty Nelms, and Sheriff Mark Falk—have no opposition as of press time.
Of the three Soil & Water Conservation Districts, only one has one race with two candidates. Incumbent James Hall of District 2 is being challenged by Tina Krauz. Soil & Water District 3 incumbent Roger Haertel has no opposition and unfortunately, at press time, no one had filed to serve in Soil & Water District 4.
The filing period ends Tuesday, June 1, 2010.
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