Tuesday is Primary Election Day in Minnesota

(KNSI) – Voters will narrow down the ballots in several races during Tuesday’s primary election.

Here’s a summary of the contested city, county, school, and Legislative races in the tri-county area:

St. Cloud City Council has a race in Ward 2. The ward covers the eastern and northeastern parts of St. Cloud. The seat is held by Steve Laraway, who announced he would not seek reelection. Sandra Brakstad, Seal Dwyer, and Karen Larson are running for the seat.

Eight people are running for three seats on the St. Cloud Area School Board. Voters will pick three. The top six will move on to the November ballot. Current board member Les Green is not seeking reelection. Mike Bueckers, Theresa Carlstedt, Zachary Dorholt, Chantal Oechsle, Bashir Omer, Nicole Rierson, Natalie Ringsmuth (Copeland) and Heather Weems are running. Dorholt and Ringsmuth are incumbents.

The ROCORI School District asks voters to approve two referendums worth $72 million. If approved, funding will come from a property tax increase. Question one asks for $63.7 million for districtwide technology upgrades, newer secured entrances, new playground equipment, and remodel other spaces. The second question would be for $8.9 million to fund five multipurpose courts for basketball, a swimming pool, pickleball, volleyball, and track.

The Stearns County Board of Commissioners has primary races in Districts 3 and 4. Seven people are running for District 3, which includes Collegeville, Cold Spring, Paynesville, Kimball, Rockville, and St. Augusta. Tina Barak, Barry Belknap, Jeff Bertram, Dan Goebel, Kelly Guest, Walter Moorhouse and Charlie Ward are in the race. The other race is in District 4. The district includes St. Cloud south of Highway 23 and Waite Park. Darrell Bruestle and Lana Feddema are challenging incumbent Leigh Lenzmeier. Two candidates in each district will advance.

Benton County has three candidates running for Auditor-Treasurer. Two candidates will advance to the general election. Heather Bondhus, Sean Gitch, and Christine Scherbing are running for the post. Current Auditor-Treasurer Nadean Inman will appear on the ballot; however, a settlement over a lawsuit over her residency means she will no longer be running. She agreed not to continue if elected.

Five candidates a vying for Sherburne County Commissioner in District 4. Two will advance to the general election. Gary Gray, Jerome “Lefty” Kleis, Carol Lewis, Eric Meyer, and Kari Watkins are running. The district includes southeast St. Cloud, Clear Lake, and Palmer Township. The seat is currently held by Commissioner Felix Schmiesing, who announced he wasn’t seeking reelection.

Area voters will decide two Legislative races during the primary. Minnesota Senate District 13 includes Avon, Cold Spring, Rockville, Sartell, and Sauk Rapids. Incumbent Jeff Howe, R-Rockville, and Ashley Burg, an emergency room nurse, are both running as a Republican to represent District 13. In the November election, the winner will face Alissa Brickman, DFL-Sauk Rapids.

The other race is in Minnesota House District 27B. The area includes the Zimmerman, Princeton, and parts of Isanti County. Incumbent Republican Minority Leader Kurt Doubt is being challenged for the seat by constitutional conservative Rachel Davis. The winner will face Democrat Brad Brown in November.

See a sample ballot by clicking here.

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