County elections to have contests
By STU MERRY
Three races will have contests during the Primary Election Tuesday, June 10. With the filing deadline approaching, Monday, April 7 at 4 p.m., three have filed for the county commission seat in District 1. Four individuals have filed to run for county sheriff, and the county’s two largest newspapers will compete for the title of official county newspaper.
Former county agent Pat Carpentier has entered the race to represent District 1 on the county commission. The county highway department’s road foreman Doug Krebsbach is also seeking the voter’s nod. They will challenge incumbent Pam Link who is serving out the term of former county commissioner Julie Hudson Schenfisch.
So far, Steve Lee, county commissioner representing District 3, is the only one to file for his seat.
Four candidates have filed for the county sheriff’s seat – deputies Curt Olson and Richard Johnson, former deputy Richard Johnson and JR Kerzmann.
Other county posts on the ballot this year include county recorder (Beth Knutson), states attorney (Ladd Erickson) and auditor( Les Korgel).
Also on the ballot is Garrison Diversion Conservancy District director. A petition has not been turned in yet for that office but, incumbent Rick Anderson has picked up the forms to circulate.
Vote by mail will again be available to county voters. County officials said those who apply will receive a ballot application in the mail around April 24. Applications are now being accepted.
The mail ballot application when completed, signed by the voter and returned to the auditor’s office, will serve as the document notifying county officials to send a vote by mail ballot to the address specified by the sender.
Though absentee ballots have been available for some time, this will be the third election (Primary and General) where county voters can cast their ballot from the comfort of their home.
