City, county races have multiple candidates

When the filing deadline closed on May 31, three local races emerged with three or more candidates.
Four candidates are seeking election to the open county commissioner seat in District 1 currently held by Ken Hoime, who opted not to seek re-election.
Candidates are Don Bryan, Hardwick; Mike Davis, rural Luverne; Kyle Hemme, rural Hardwick; and Gary Overgaard, rural Magnolia.
The District 3 county commission seat is being sought by incumbent Ron Boyenga, rural Ellsworth, and challengers Greg Burger, Luverne, and Darrel Van Aartsen, rural Luverne.
Another three-way contested race is for the Luverne City Council Ward 1 seat currently held by Esther Frakes, who is not seeking re-election.
Seeking her seat on the council are Lennis “Red” Arndt, Larry Lanphere and Daniel Nath.
Running uncontested for city office are Patrick Baustian for re-election as Luverne mayor and Lori Hallstrom for Ward 2 city council currently held by Eugene Marshall, who is not seeking re-election.
Other uncontested county elections include Jody Reisch, who filed for re-election to the District 5 county board seat, and Soil and Water Supervisors District 1, 3 and 4. Filing for those seats respectively are Eugene Cragoe, Roger Hoff and Dave Esselink.
At the state level, incumbent Bill Weber, Luverne, has filed for re-election to the State Senate District 22 seat on the Republican ticket with Brian Abrahamson of Luverne challenging Weber on the Democratic-Farmer-Labor side. Both candidates threw their hats into the ring on the first day of filing.
Laura Woods of Luverne has filed for election to the Minnesota House of Representatives District 22A on the DFL ticket. She is challenging incumbent Joe Schomacker (R-Luverne) who filed for re-election.
At the federal level, DFL incumbent Tim Walz has filed for re-election to U.S. House District 1 seat. Two Republican challengers have also filed — Jim Hagedorn and Steve Williams.
 
Primary set for Aug. 9
The local offices that have three or more people that have filed will be on the primary ballot so that it's narrowed down to just two candidates for the general election.
The primary election is Aug. 9, and the general election is Nov. 8.
The Rock County Auditor’s Office can be reached at 507-283-5060.
Also election information is available on the Minnesota Secretary of State website, sos.state.mn.us.