On election eve, while typical liberal national media TV anchors abhorred the proposterous notion that Donald Trump could win the road to the White House, the U.S. map was painted with a broad brush of the color red.
Pundits and pollsters didn’t see this coming. All analytics indicated Hillary would be heir to the thrown.
In Minnesota, of the 4,120 precincts throughout the 87 counties reporting a combined 74.11% voter turnout, the 37 precincts in Fillmore County reported a 91.43% voter turnout.
In the 2012 general election, Fillmore County voters elected President Obama with a 7.34% margin over Republican opponent Mitt Romney.
The 2016 general election was a different story. While the very liberal state of Minnesota gave 46.41% of their votes to Clinton compared to Trump garnering 44.96% of the vote, Fillmore County went as wide right as a Minnesota Vikings kicker.
Over 57% of the voters must have heard “Make Fillmore County Great Again!” as they cast their vote for the Trump/Pence ticket, leaving Clinton with only 35% of the voters in her corner. That’s a 22% margin — a significant swing from the 2012 election results.
And, it should be noted that 41 voters in Fillmore County supported the Legal Marijuana Now candidates of Dan R. Vacek and Mark Elworth, Jr. for U.S. President and Vice President — stealing 0.37% of the vote from all other multi-platformed candidates. Their results can only get “higher” in future elections.
U.S. Representative District 1
The battle between Tim Walz (DFL incumbent) and Jim Hagedorn (Republican) was divided by only 2,817 votes, with Walz surviving again as the victor with 50.34% of the district-wide vote.
State Senate & Representative
Incumbent Republican Jeremy Miller dominated the Fillmore County polls with 64.10% of the vote over DFLer Jon Pieper, who earned 35.89% of the voters confidence. District-wide, Miller earned 62.98% of the vote.
Meanwhile, seasoned incumbent Republican Gregory M. Davids won another two-year term over young challenger Thomas Trehus. Davids attracted 56.44% of the Fillmore County vote, leaving Trehus with 43.55%. District-wide ,Davids earned 54.58% of the vote.
Fillmore County Government
Marc Prestby retained his position as commissioner of District 5, beating Vance Haugen who garnered only 32% of the vote. Mitch Lenz (District 1) and Gary Peterson (District 3), both unopposed, also won.
Roughly 70% of the voters were in favor of status quo with respect to the process for filling the auditor and recorder positions. So, the auditor and recorder positions will remain elected instead of appointed.
There were three Fillmore SWCD Supervisor positions up for grabs. Travis Willford, District 5, had it easy, as he ran unopposed and won. In District 4, Robert Pickett won with 60.04% over Barbara Mielke. And, in District 3, Kathryn Tesmer sported 68.48% of the vote over opponent Jake Stacken.
Cities
In Canton, Cindy Shanks and Randy Gossman earned more votes than Jason Magnuson and Carl Ernst, claiming Council Member at Large positions on the Canton City Council.
Lanesboro will have a new mayor in January 2017, with Autumn Johnson beating incumbent Mayor Robin W. Krom. Johnson earned 55.44% of the vote, compared to Krom’s 44.56%.
James Westby will be back in the mayor seat of Mabel again, after earning 43.07% to claim victory over Brian Street and Laura St. Mary.
Ostrander Council Member at Large victors were Heidi M. Jones and Erin Volkart, with Vernon Thompson left behind.
The Peterson Mayor won’t need new business cards, as incumbent Tim Hallum won with a whopping 69.11% of the vote compared to 30.89% for Dave Colbenson.
In Preston, Holly Zuck will join the City Council with 34.99% of the vote. David Collett earned 32.60% of the vote, leaving David Harrison with only 32.41%.
Todd Baker didn’t make the cut for the Rushford Village Council Member at Large seats, earning only 12.63% of the vote. Meanwhile, Dennis Overland and Michael Ebner earned 45.26% and 42.11%, respectively.
In Whalan, the new mayor will be Marlys Tuftin, edging out John Smith. And, the Berekvams, Kimberly and Wyatt, will each take a seat at the table as Council Member at Large.
Al Williams retains his title as mayor of Wykoff, boasting 69.14% of the vote compared to Michael Holzer’s 30.86%. The city council will have a couple of Marys — Mary A. Tjepkes and Mary Sackett.
Schools
Kingsland School District voters elected Tiffany Ramaker Mundrom, Jackie Horsman, and Leah Stier to fill three seats. And, they did not pass their referendum or approve their bond. Back to the chalkboard on this one.
R-P School Board victors were Bonnie Prinsen, John Linder, Julie Koop, and Valarie E. Howe.
Chatfield voters apparently love their school district, as they voted “yes” to approve a $10,800,000 bond with 51.62% in favor.
And, 59.48% of Mabel-Canton School District voters approved a referendum that would increase its general education revenue by $409.60 per pupil.
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