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Luverne Mayor Pat Baustian is seeking election to the Minnesota House of Representatives.
He announced his candidacy for the District 21A seat after filing Tuesday, May 31, just before the 5 p.m. deadline.
Baustian is running on the DFL ticket, challenging Republican incumbent Joe Schomacker of Luverne in the November 2022 general election.
If elected, Mayor Baustian would be required to give up his elected position in Luverne in order to accept a seat in the House of Representatives.
He said he waited until the last minute to file because it took him that long to decide if he’d do it.
“I’ve had a ground swell of supporters in the entire District 21A encouraging me to run because of the lack of any accomplishments at the state level and knowing that I like to take on issues and get things done,” Baustian said.
No other DFL candidates filed, and Baustian’s 20-year background in government leadership would qualify him for a seat in the House of Representatives.
He’s been Luverne mayor for 12 years, now 2 ½ years into his current term, and he was previously elected to two four-year terms on the council.
Chief Master Sgt. Baustian retired in January 2020 from his 32-year career in the South Dakota Air National Guard where he was IT manager in the 114 Communications Flight.
Weber challenged for Senate seat
The Minnesota District 21 State Senate seat is open for election, and incumbent Bill Weber will face challenger Brad Hutchinson, Mountain Lake, also a Republican, in a race for that seat.
Race in Ward 2
In city of Luverne elections, incumbent Kevin Aaker will face challenger Merlin Kracht in a race for the Ward 2 seat on the Luverne City Council.
“I am running for City Council to address the needs of the people of Luverne, instead of the wants of city government.”
Kracht is a longtime Luverne businessman, operating his Mert’s Repair shop in the city’s industrial park.
No other contests
According to Rock County Auditor Ashley Kurtz, all city and county incumbent candidates have filed for re-election.
Ward 1 Luverne City Council member Caroline Thorson is running unopposed for election to another term.
Because of redistricting, all county commission seats are up for election. They are Gary Overgaard in District 1, Stan Williamson in District 2, Greg Burger in District 3, Sherri Thompson in District 4 and Jody Reisch in District 5.
The offices of Rock County Sheriff Evan Verbrugge and Rock County Attorney Jeff Haubrich are up for election this fall, and both have filed for re-election.
Jim Veldkamp filed for Soil and Water Supervisor District 5, and Josh Ossefoort filed for the SWCD 2 seat.
There is a second candidate filing period, Aug. 2-16, for all other cities, townships and school districts that hold elections in November.