Elections 2026

To the Editor: Nineteen years ago, I moved to Luverne from a state with smaller, more locally controlled government. I wasn’t sure I’d ever enjoy living in Minnesota, but Luverne proved me wrong! After living in eight communities across three states, I can honestly say there’s no place I’d rather call home. I believe Luverne’s success comes from thoughtful planning, responsible city leadership…

Six candidates are running for two seats on the Hills City Council being vacated by Vickie Busswitz and Dennis Boese who are not seeking re-election.   The candidates are Deb Haak, Ross Metzger, Jeff Nelson, Allen Saakyan, Meghan Zylstra and Mitchell Ganun. (Ganun declined to share responses.)   Deb Haak Tell us about your family. I’ve been married to Larry for 44 wonderful years. We’re…

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Star Media Videos: All videos can be found on YouTube.  Luverne City Council South Ward Candidate Forum Rock County Commissioner, District 3, Candidate Forum Rock County Sheriff Candidate Forum 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Luverne Charter Amendment Forum Rock County Commissioner, District 2, Candidate Forum Rock County Commissioner, District 4, Candidate Forum       Polling…

There are five candidates seeking election to four open seats on the Hills-Beaver Creek School Board. They are incumbents Travis Helgeson, Ethan Rozeboom and Eric Uittenbogaard and challengers Dalton Engelkes and Stan Metzger. Dalton Engelkes Tell us about your family. My name is Dalton Engelkes. I am married to Sarah and we have been married for 17 amazing years. We have four children…

Five candidates are seeking election to four seats on the Luverne School Board. They include three incumbents, Michael DeBates, Zach Nolz and David Wrigg, and two challengers, Sara Bolt and Anita Marden. Sara Bolt Tell us about your family. My husband, Chris, and I have two children who are currently in kindergarten and second grade. We also own and operate Bolts Turf Care here in Luverne. …

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Luverne voters will be asked in the Nov. 3 general election if they support an amendment to their city’s government charter regarding public utilities. If adopted, it would transfer municipal utilities powers and responsibilities from the city council to a “Municipal Services Commission.” On Sept. 15 the Luverne Area Chamber hosted a public forum in a crowded Palace Theatre to address questions…

Two candidates are on the ballot for Rock County sheriff — incumbent Matthew Sorenson and challenger Jeff Stratton. Matthew Sorenson Tell us about your family.  My wife, Lori, and I live in Springwater Township where we have a small farming operation. Our children include Alexx Sorenson (and family in Edgerton), Jonathan Ehde (and family in Luverne) and the late Carson Ehde, whose loss in 2022…

The Rock County Board of Commissioners’ fourth district has two candidates running: incumbent Sherri Thompson and challenger Pat Saum. Sherri Thompson Tell us about your family. I am married to Bill Thompson, who recently retired after 34 years of teaching at Luverne Middle and High School. We have two children, Brent and Susan, both of whom have said they are grateful to have grown up in…

  Join moderator Scott Marquardt, Executive Director of the Southwest Initiative Foundation, as he leads a forum on the proposed public utilities commission charter amendment. This forum was held Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at the Palace Theatre in Luverne, Minnesota, with Isaac DeBoer, Lori Hallstrom and Sheryl Staeffler representing the Charter Amendment Committee and Barb Berghorst, Mert…

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Alongside statewide and local races on the ballot this November, Minnesotans will also answer an important question asking if they want to increase funding for local school districts – without increasing taxes. With unanimous bipartisan support, a ballot question was added to ask voters if they would like to increase disbursements from Minnesota’s Permanent School Fund from 2.5% to 4.5%. “This…

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison last week joined a coalition of 25 states in filing a lawsuit against the United States Postal Service (USPS) challenging its new rule that purports to grant USPS the authority to regulate mail voting in elections.  On Aug. 27, a federal judge in Massachusetts temporarily blocked the USPS from enforcing rules that would have required states to overhaul…

Rep. Brad Finstad of Minnesota’s First Congressional District was in Luverne Monday as part of southwest Minnesota roundtable discussions with local leaders about issues impacting their communities. In Luverne he met with members of the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System and Rock County Rural Water for a roundtable discussion to discuss their ongoing expansion projects.  Finstad pledged…