Tietz files for Senate seat

New Prague real estate agent Rod Tietz, a former member of the New Prague Area School Board, filed Thursday to run for the Minnesota State Senate seat being vacated by Tom Neuville, who has been appointed as a judge in the Third Judicial District.

Tietz filed as a Republican. He is one of four Republicans to file prior to Thursday's deadline. Candidates have until 5 p.m. today (Friday) to withdraw from the race. If more than one candidate remains on the ballot for any of the three major political parties, a primary election will be held Tuesday, Dec. 18.

Tietz joins former State Rep. Ray Cox of Northfield, who received the Republican endorsement Wednesday, Henderson Mayor Keith Swenson and Jack Baker of Northfield in the Republican field.

On the Democratic-Farmer-Labor side, Don Sauter of Arlington and Anne Bomstad Miller have withdrawn as candidates after failing to receive the DFL endorsement Wednesday. Kevin Dahle of Northfield is the endorsed candidate, and Montgomery Mayor Mick McGuire remain on the ballot. McGuire indicated Wednesday that he would withdraw after failing to receive party endorsement, but was still on the ballot as of Friday morning.

Vance Norgaard of Northfield is the only candidate to have filed as an Independence Party candidate, and will not face any primary opposition.

The special election to fill Neuville's senate seat is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 3.