We only have 29 days until Election Day — November 6, 2018.
With 22 contested races in Fillmore County and Houston County, voters will have their hands full with making some pretty important decisions. For this issue of the Fillmore County Journal, our staff worked diligently to present candidate profiles for those who chose to participate. We mailed letters with questions to 61 candidates, and in today’s issue readers will find responses from 30 of those candidates seeking an opportunity to serve their community. Candidate question and answer profiles start on page 4 of today’s newspaper.
Chatfield School Board
In Chatfield, there are four candidates running for only three available seats on the Chatfield School Board. The four candidates are Scott Backer, Dorothy-Helen L. Billmeier, Lanny Isensee, and Matthew McMahon.
See Dorothy’s Q&A here… https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/meet-the-candidates-school-board/
Fillmore Central School Board
There are five candidates vying for four seats on the Fillmore Central School Board, including Craig Britton, Emily Ellis-Onsanger, Jennifer Pickett, Sue Sikkink, and Shelly Topness.
See Craig, Emily, Jennifer, and Sue’s Q&A here… https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/meet-the-candidates-school-board/
Canton City Council
Out of these three candidates — Carl Ernst, Jason Magnuson, and Charlie Warner — only two of them will fill available seats on the Canton City Council.
See Carl and Jason’s Q&A here… https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/meet-the-cadidates-city-council/
Chatfield Mayor
Dan Folken and Russell Smith will be splitting votes at the ballot box for Mayor of Chatfield.
See Russell’s Q&A here… https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/meet-the-candidates-mayor/
Fountain City Council
There are only two seats up for grabs, but four residents seeking voter support. The names on the ballot are Colleen Foehrenbacher, Terry Hanson, Ronald R. Reisner, and Michael Root.
See Michael, Ronald, and Colleen’s Q&A here… https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/meet-the-cadidates-city-council/
Harmony City Council
Kyle Morem, Stephen W. Sagen, and Tony Webber will be doing their best to convince voters to select them for one of only two seats available on the Harmony City Council.
See their Q&A here… https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/meet-the-cadidates-city-council/
Ostrander Mayor
Pam Kunert and Pat Nesler will be battling for the position of Mayor for the City of Ostrander.
See Pam’s Q&A here… https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/meet-the-candidates-mayor/
Ostrander City Council
It’s like musical chairs in Ostrander, because there are five participants and only two seats available. When the campaign music stops, only two of the following candidates will have a seat at the council table: Kimberly Nesler, Jeremy Runkle, D.J. Start, Stephanie Start, and Vernon Thompson.
Peterson City Council
Of Gail Barnard-Boyum, Dave Colbenson, and Pete Erickson, only two of these candidates will be elected to serve the City of Peterson.
See Gail’s Q&A here… https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/meet-the-cadidates-city-council/
Spring Valley City Council
There are two seats available on the Spring Valley City Council, and four candidates vying for the opportunity to serve their community: Thomas J. Brunson, Chris Danielson, John Dols, and Luan R. Ruesink.
See John and Luan’s Q&A here… https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/meet-the-cadidates-city-council/
Whalan City Council
Voters will be selecting only two of these three candidates — Kimberly Berekvam, Johnny M. Halvorson, and Alesha Sveen — to complete their Whalan City Council.
Wykoff Mayor
Wade Baker will be challenging Alan D. Williams for the position of Mayor for the City of Wykoff.
See Wade and Al’s Q&A here… https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/meet-the-candidates-mayor/
Wykoff City Council
Running for Wykoff City Council has never been more popular than in 2018. There are currently only two seats available on the Wykoff City Council, and there are seven candidates jockeying for voter support: Rich Bottorff, Jerico Bushman, Richard Gleason, Mitchell P. Grabau, Gerald Jacobson, Sr., Lyle Morey, and Melissa (Missy) Musel.
See Gerald and Melissa’s Q&A here… https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/meet-the-cadidates-city-council/
Houston Mayor
David Olson and Tony J. Schultz are seeking the leadership role of Mayor for the City of Houston.
See David’s Q&A here… https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/meet-the-candidates-mayor/
Houston County Recorder
Becky Konieczny-Peterson and Susan K. Schwebach are seeking voter support for the position of Houston County Recorder.
See their Q&A here… https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/meet-the-candidates-houston-county-recorder/
Houston County Commissioner – District 2
Eric Johnson and Justin Zmyewski are facing off for one seat on the Houston County Board for District 2.
See their Q&A here… https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/meet-the-candidates-houston-county-commissioner/
Houston County Commissioner – District 3
There are four contenders battling for the position of County Commissioner for District 3. Here are the options on the ballot: Bruce Bulman, Robert Burns, Bruce Kuehmichel, and Ryan Stenzel.
See Robert and Ryan’s Q&A here… https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/meet-the-candidates-houston-county-commissioner/
Houston County Commissioner – District 4
Gary Parr, Bob Scanlan, Ken Visger, and Teresa Walter are all looking forward to Election Day to see which one of them will be voted into office for the position of County Commissioner for District 4.
See Teresa’s Q&A here… https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/meet-the-candidates-houston-county-commissioner/
Fillmore County Auditor/Treasurer
Shirl Boelter is still listed on the Minnesota Secretary of State website as the Fillmore County Auditor/Treasurer, but she hasn’t served in that capacity since her resignation in May of 2016. Over the past two plus years, the County Board has utilized existing county staff to oversee leadership of the Auditor/Treasurer office. On Election Day, voters will elect either Heidi ‘Bly’ Jones or Brian Hoff to be the next Fillmore County Auditor/Treasurer.
Fillmore County Sheriff
There can only be one sheriff. Who will it be? Kaase or DeGeorge? In 2014, Kaase beat Brian Miner by only 261 votes.
See their Q&A from our 9/17 edition here… https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/who-will-be-the-next-sheriff/
State Representative – District 28B
Incumbent State Representative Greg Davids has been challenged by Fillmore County DFL-endorsed Thomas Trehus yet again. In 2016, Davids garnered 54.62% of the votes, with Trehus picking up the remaining 45.38% of voter support in District 28B — spanning Fillmore County and Houston County.
See their Q&A from our 10/1 edition here… https://fillmorecountyjournal.com/candidates-talk-about-whats-important/
U.S. Congress – District 1
With U.S. Congressman for District 1, Tim Walz, seeking the position of Minnesota Governor, Republican Jim Hagedorn has a new challenger in the race and he’s a Democrat named Dan Feehan. Hagedorn lost to Walz by less than 3,000 votes in 2016.
Running unopposed
In 27 races, there is no opposition, so there won’t be a coin-toss finish.
Cities
Canton’s Donivee Johnson is the only candidate running for Mayor. For the Chatfield City Council, Paul Novotny and Mike Urban are running for the only two open seats. Jim Schott has a lock on Mayor for the City of Fountain, being the only name on the ballot. Jason Resseman is the only name on the ballot for Mayor of Lanesboro. In Mabel, James Westby is the only option for Mayor, and Terry L. Torkelson and Adam Wilder are the only two candidates to fill two seats. Peterson Mayor Tim Hallum should keep his leadership role with no opposition on the ballot. The Mayor of Preston, Kurt Reicks, is running unopposed, as well. And, the Preston City Council has two seats to fill, and two candidates ready to serve: Robert Maust and Charlie Sparks. In Rushford Village, there’s a safe bet that Mayor Gordon Johnson will retain his seat, running unopposed. In Spring Valley, Tony Archer is the only one standing in line for the job of Mayor. The same goes for Marlys Tuftin, who is running unopposed for Mayor of Whalan.
School Boards
The Lanesboro Public School Board has three seats and three candidates: Steve Snyder, Steve Storhoff, and Michael Willford. They also have a special election for school board member at large with only one candidate, Lolly Melander, on the ballot. Mabel-Canton has three open seats and three candidates ready to go: Lizzie Hershberger, Traci McKenzie-Livingood, and Diane Wilder. Rushford-Peterson has Christopher Grindland on the ballot for a special election for school board member at large, with no competition.
County
In Fillmore County, County Commissioner (District 2) Randy Dahl, County Commissioner (District 4) Duane Bakke, County Recorder David Kiehne, County Attorney Brett Corson, Soil & Water Supervisor (District 1) Brian Hazel, and Soil & Water Supervisor (District 2) Timothy M. Gossman — are all running unopposed.
In Houston County, County Auditor/Treasurer Donna I. Trehus, Sheriff Mark Inglett, County Attorney Samuel D. Jandt, Soil & Water Supervisor (District 1) Jerry Welke, Soil & Water Supervisor (District 2) Cecil Graf — are all running unopposed.
Shortages
Some races are running short on candidates to fill seats.
The Rushford-Peterson School Board has three positions up for election, but only Joyce Iverson on the ballot. And, the Houston School Board has four seats to fill and only three candidates: Ronald Evenson, Eugene Lundak, and Tom Stilin.
In Lanesboro, the City Council has two seats open, but only Chase Bakke listed on the ballot.