2022 Primary Election Results

Originally published August 9th, 2022 at 9:08 p.m.

Updated August 10th, 2022 at 5:45 a.m.

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(KNSI) — The 2022 primary elections are in the books. Here are some of the more closely watched races and ballot measures.

The St. Cloud City Council Ward 2 race may not be over. As of now, Sandra Brakstad moves on to take on Karen Larson in November. Brakstad defeated a third candidate, Seal Dwyer, by just three votes. The race is within the margin to trigger a recount. The results are considered unofficial until canvassing is complete. Steve Laraway holds the seat now, but he announced this spring that he would not seek reelection. Other St. Cloud City Council contests are Jake Anderson and Paul Brandmire in Ward 3 and Mike Conway and Hassan Yussuf in Ward 4. Dave Masters is running unopposed in Ward 1.

The results are in for the primary election, and we know who will advance in the county races. In Benton County, Sean Gitch and Christine Sherbing move on to the November general election for the Auditor-Treasurer position. A lawsuit against current Auditor-Treasurer Nadean Inman challenging her residency revealed she did not live in Benton County and was prohibited from running. Gary Gray will take on Jerome Lefty Kleis for the Sherburne County Commissioner seat in District 4. Current District 4 Commissioner Felix Schmiesing announced his retirement in April. In Stearns County Commissioner District 3, which covers Rockville, Cold Spring, Collegeville, and St. Augusta, Jeff Bertram and Barry Belknap will advance. That election was triggered by Jeff Mergen withdrawing his candidacy in June. Leigh Lenzmeier is being challenged for his seat in District 4, which covers a portion of St. Cloud, St. Augusta, Clearwater, and Lynden Township. Lana Feddema will take on Lenzmeier after defeating challenger Darrell Bruestle.

St. Cloud Area School District 742 school board candidate field is set for November. The six who move on are, Mike Bueckers, Theresa Carlstedt, Zachary Dorholt, Nicole Rierson, Natalie Ringsmuth Copeland, and Heather Weems. Eight people were running for three open slots. Current school board member Les Green is retiring. Ringsmuth and Dorholt are the incumbents on the ticket. The local teacher’s union also endorses them. Bueckers, Carlstedt, and Rierson are backed by the Central Minnesota Freedom Advocates group, who say they favor constitutional freedoms in schools.

There were no surprises in the statewide races in Minnesota’s primary election on Tuesday.

The DFL incumbents cruised to victory. Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Secretary of State Steve Simon will all have a chance at reelection in November. Republican voters sided with their party’s choices, even in the intriguing AG primary. Jim Schultz secured over 53% of the vote in a three-way race that included the 2018 nominee Doug Wardlow, a close confidant of MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell. Scott Jensen and Matt Birk advance in the gubernatorial race. Kim Crockett is the GOP Secretary of State candidate.

The general election is on November 8th.

SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 1 (ISD #750): 11 0f 11 precincts reporting

Shall the school board of Independent School District No. 750 (Rocori School District) be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $63,790,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including security upgrades, facility maintenance, and modernized learning spaces district-wide; upgrades at Cold Spring Elementary, John Clark Elementary, and Richmond Elementary including secured entrances and new playground equipment; upgrades at the High School/Middle School campus including remodeling and additions for career and technical education and upgrades and enhancements to the fine arts spaces; construction of an early childhood education addition; and the acquisition, installation and integration of improved technology and technology systems district-wide?

YES 923 21.64%
*NO 3,343 78.36%

SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 2 (ISD #750): 11 of 11 precincts reporting

If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the school board of Independent School District No. 750 (Rocori School District) also be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $8,955,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and equipping of a new activities center including multipurpose courts lined for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball; an indoor walking and running track; and an indoor swimming and diving pool?

YES 865 20.35%
*NO 3,385 79.65%

SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 1 (ISD #745): 14 of 14 precincts reporting

Shall the board of Independent School District No. 745 (Albany), Minnesota be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $16,960,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, renovation of the former hospital facility for use as an early learning center, construction of an addition consisting of a new multi-purpose space, deferred capital maintenance, infrastructure improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and technology?

*YES 1,272 59.08%
NO 881 40.92%

SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 1 (ISD #739): 8 of 8 precincts reporting

The school board of Independent School District No. 739 (Kimball Area Public Schools) has proposed a project for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction of secure entrances; the construction and equipping of a new pre-kindergarten classroom addition; remodeling and updates to the Kimball High School science and FACS classrooms; and converting existing classroom spaces at the Kimball Elementary School into a cafeteria. To provide funds for the project costs, the school board has proposed to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $8,170,000. The school board also proposes to use approximately $2,200,000 of any remaining proceeds of the School District’s General Obligation Facilities Maintenance Bonds, Series 2020A, originally issued to fund the costs of certain improvements included in the School District’s ten-year facility plan approved by the school board and the Commissioner of Education which have since been completed, to fund the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the completion of various deferred maintenance projects at school sites and facilities. Shall the school board of Independent School District No. 739 (Kimball Area Public Schools) be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds and to use approximately $2,200,000 of any remaining proceeds of its General Obligation Facilities Maintenance Bonds, Series 2020A, to fund the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities?

*YES 473 52.32%
NO 431 47.68%

SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 2 (ISD #739): 8 of 8 precincts reporting

If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the school board of Independent School District No. 739 (Kimball Area Public Schools) also be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $2,290,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the acquisition and installation of new elementary playground equipment; and construction and improvements to parking lots district-wide?

YES 434 47.74%
*NO 475 52.26%

SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 1 (ISD #740): 22 of 22 precincts reporting

Shall the school board of Independent School District No. 740 (Melrose Area Public Schools) be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $29,940,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and equipping of a new Career and Technical Education auto shop addition; the renovation of existing Career and Technical Education classrooms and labs; the construction and equipping of a new swimming pool facility; conversion of the existing pool facility into a multi-purpose activity space and storage; replacement of the High School gymnasium floor; remodeling and updates to locker rooms and related spaces; HVAC improvements; the replacement of tennis courts; ADA-accessibility improvements; and site, grading, and utility improvements?

YES 1,029 46.79%
*NO 1,170 53.21%

Get more results by clicking here.

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KNSI News reporter Grant Dossetto and KNSI News Director Jennifer Lewerenz contributed to this story.

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