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Eighteen candidates file for five board seats

Subhead
Contested races in Hills, Beaver Creek, Luverne and Vienna
By
Lori Sorenson

Fifteen candidates have filed for four open seats on the Luverne School Board, and three more filed for one unexpired term.
Several of those threw their hats in the ring just before the 5 p.m. filing deadline Tuesday after the Star Herald went to press.
The four-year terms of
Katie Baustian, Reva Sehr, Jodi Bosch and Eric Hartman for up for election, and only Hartman filed.
In addition, Michael DeBates, Heather Johnson, Jason Schear, Amber Lais, Matt Goembel, Amber Nath, Jacob Hartz, Austin Kurtz, Brett Hood, Zach Nolz, Randy Sasker, Maggie Siebenahler, Josh Gangestad and Scott Wessels have filed for the three 4-year positions.
Three others filed for the two-year term vacated by Jeff Stratton when he resigned from the school board to become the school resource officer. Seeking election to that seat are Ryan DeBates, Maggie Vanderburg and Matthew Van Grootheest.
Baustian, who was first elected to the School Board in 2010, said she’s not aware of a single major issue driving so many candidates to seek election.
“I don’t know why any of these people are running but we truly are a very fortunate district,” she said.
“Our teaching staff is in place for the coming year, we have a new building and new technology.”
She said she ran for office in 2010 out of concern for the music program after middle school music educator Mary Goheen retired and wasn’t replaced.
“We saw that as a cut and thought the sky was falling,” Baustian recalled.
“But when Seana (Graber) was moved to 6-12 choir, it turned out to actually be a good thing, because she could start training students earlier.”
Baustian said she quickly learned what board members actually do.
“We’re policy makers, not micromanagers,” she said. “We’re the administration’s boss, and we have to trust their judgment.”
She added that she’s been grateful for Superintendent Craig Oftedahl’s leadership.
“We have an amazing superintendent who thrives on getting things done,” Baustian said. “The way things are right now, there are no big issues for the board.”
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board has four candidates seeking election to four open seats currently held by Harley Fransman, Renee Knobloch, Ethan Rozeboom and Arlyn Gehrke.
Gehrke and Rozeboom filed for re-election, and they’ll be joined on the ballot by Travis Helgeson and Eric Uitenbogaard.
 
Cities and townships
The Hills City Council election has five candidates vying for two open seats. Incumbents Vickie Busswitz and Alan Leenderts filed for re-election, and they’ll face challengers Brian Kraayenhof, Cory Metzger and Dusty Seachris in the November election.
The Hills council changed its mayor term to four years, so Mayor Keith Elbers is not up for election this year.
Beaver Creek Mayor Josh Teune filed for re-election unopposed, but four people are seeking election to two open seats on the council. Council members Jeff Dysthe and Pat Bender  did not file for re-election, and Heidi Freese, Joe Conger, Jacob Conger and Madison Conger filed for their open seats.
Hardwick Mayor Willy Baker did not file for re-election, and council member Tom Haas (who has been acting mayor) is seeking election to the formal title.
Two candidates, Gordon (Sam) Hansen and Don Bryan filed for two open council seats on the Hardwick City Council.
Kenneth Mayor Keith Hoven and council members Sheri Vyskocil and Laurie Gangestad are seeking re-election unopposed.
Magnolia Mayor Dennis Madison and council members Melanie Madison and Jeff DeGroot are up for election, but the Secretary of State Website shows that no one has filed.
Steen Mayor Lynette Woelber and council members Jazmine Dagel and Brad Bosch are up for election, but only Woelber and Dagel have filed, according to the state website.
Battle Plain Township Supervisors Eric Sas and Aaron Sandbulte are seeking re-election unopposed.
Denver TownshipTreasurer Lloyd Hemme and supervisors Tony Roosand Donald Arends are seeking re-election unopposed.
Martin TownshipSupervisor Nathan Fick filed for re-election.
Rose Dell Township Treasurer Jerry Purdin and supervisors Larry Fjellangerand Joe Buysse are seeking re-election unopposed.
Vienna Township Treasurer Albert Rust and supervisors David Severtson and Brad Skattum filed for relection, and Kraig Rust is challenging Skattum for the Supervisor C seat on the board.
 
Rock County, Luverne and other elections …
The filing period was in May for federal, state, county, city of Luverne and judicial offices.
There is a race for the Luverne council seat held by incumbent Kevin Aaker, who filed for re-election along with challenger Mert Kracht. Incumbent Caroline Thorson will run unopposed for re-election to her seat on the council.
Because of redistricting, all county commission seats are up for election, and all five incumbents will be on the ballot this fall unopposed. They are Gary Overgaard, Stan Williamson, Greg Burger, Sherri Thompson and Jody Reisch.
Rock County Sheriff Evan Verbrugge and Rock County Attorney Jeff Haubrich are also seeking re-election unopposed.
 
Baustian challenges Schomacker for House
Minnesota District 21A State House seat is up for election this fall, and incumbent Joe Schomacker (R-Luverne) will face current Luverne Mayor Pat Baustian as the DFL candidate on the ballot for that two-year term.
Baustian would need to relinquish his mayoral duties if he accepts the House seat.
The Minnesota District 21 State Senate seat is open for election, and incumbent Bill Weber, R-Luverne, will face Republican challenger Brad Hutchinson this fall.
Rock County voters will also choose between DFL-er Jeff Ettinger and GOP candidate Brad Finstad to fill the unexpired term of Dist. 1 Congressman Jim Hagedorn who died of cancer in February.
The offices for Minnesota governor and lieutenant governor are up for election this fall, as are the secretary of state, state auditor, attorney general and judicial offices.
The Minnesota Secretary of State website, sos.state.mn.us, has all the details.

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