Several primaries on tap in area
By Chuck Kajer, Managing Editor
Several primary elections have developed among local candidates as the filing period for county and state offices closed Tuesday, June 1.
In Scott County Commissioner District 1, which represents the western portion of the county, including the cities of Jordan, Belle Plaine and New Prague, a third candidate filed last week, forcing a primary. Jerry Kucera of rural Shakopee (Sand Creek Township) joined Joe Thill of Jordan and incumbent Joe Wagner, also of Jordan. All three will be headed for an August 10 primary election, where the top two vote-getters advance to the November 2 general election.
In Le Sueur County, there will be a primary, in the race for County Recorder. Sharon Budin of Le Center, who was appointed to that position earlier this year when David Sexe retired, is facing opposition from Russ Ehlers of Le Center and Julie A. Wagner of Cleveland.
In Rice County, there are three candidates for the District 5 seat on the Soil and Water Conservation Board. Candidates are Scott Donkers, Nancy Gruchow and Dale Neisby. While SWCD candidates run from the district they live in, they are elected by all voters in the county.
There will also be a primary in one area legislative race. In District 35A, incumbent Republican Mark Buesgens of Jordan is being challenged for his party's spot on the ballot by former State Rep. Tom Rees (R-Lakeville). Rees unsuccessfully challenged Buesgens two years ago. The winner will face DFL Candidate Jennaya LaFrance of Savage on the November ballot.
Local Filings
(* denotes incumbent)
Le Sueur County
District 2 Commissioner:
Joe Connolly* (Le Sueur)
Clarence (Clancy) Mager (Le Center)
District 4 Commissioner:
Robert (Bob) Culhane* (Waterville)
Cliff Wetzel (Waterville)
District 5 Commissioner:
Steve Gump Rohlfing, (Madison Lake)
Wm. Bill Stangler* (Cleveland)
Auditor/Treasurer:
Joseph Boettcher* (Le Center)
Recorder:
Sharon Budin* (Le Center);
Russ Ehlers (Le Center);
Julie A. Wagner (Cleveland)
Sheriff:
Thomas Doherty* (Le Center)
Attorney:
Brent Christian* (Le Center)
Surveyor:
Rory Jensen* (Madison Lake)
Soil and Water Conservation District 1:
Alvin Dietz* (New Prague)
Soil and Water Conservation District 2:
Thomas E. Miller (Kilkenny);
Bob Riebel* (Le Sueur)
Rice County
District 2 Commissioner:
Daniel Freeman (Northfield)
Glen Malecha* (Northfield)
District 4 Commissioner:
Steven Bauer* (Faribault)
Auditor/Treasurer:
Fran Windschitl* (Northfield)
Recorder:
Marsha DeGroot* (Dundas)
Sheriff:
Troy Dunn (no city listed)
Mark Murphy (Northfield)
Attorney:
G. Paul Beaumaster* (Northfield)
Soil and Water Conservation District 3:
Jim Purfeerst (Faribault)
Soil and Water Conservation District 5:
Scott Donkers (Faribault)
Nancy Gruchow (Faribault)
Dale Neisby (Faribault)
Scott County
District 1 Commissioner:
Jerry Kucera (Shakopee)
Joe Thill (Jordan)
Joe Wagner* (Jordan)
District 3 Commissioner:
Jerry Hennen* (Shakopee)
Dave Menden (Shakopee)
District 5 Commissioner:
Jon Ulrich* (Savage)
Sheriff:
Kevin Studnicka* (Belle Plaine)
Attorney:
Pat Ciliberto* (Shakopee)
Soil and Water Conservation District 4:
James Fitzsimmons* (Prior Lake)
Ryan Love (Shakopee)
Soil and Water Conservation District 5:
Gary Hartmann (Shakopee)
Jim Schwingler* (Jordan)
Minnesota House of Representatives
District 25A:
Glenn Gruenhagen (R-Glencoe)
Mick McGuire (DFL-Montgomery)
District 25B:
Kelby Woodard (R-Belle Plaine)
David Bly* (DFL-Northfield)
District 35A:
Mark Buesgens* (R-Jordan)
Tom Rees (R-Lakeville)
Jennaya LaFrance (DFL-Savage)
Minnesota Senate:
District 25:
Al DeKruif (R-Elysian)
Kevin Dahle* (DFL-Northfield)
John A. Grimm (Ind-Montgomery)
District 35:
Travis Burton (DFL-Jordan) Claire Robling* (R-Jordan)
