Filing Period For Local & State Fall Elections Ends Tuesday

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Tuesday is the final day for candidates to file for the elective positions that will appear on the ballot in November.

The two-week filing period opened on the morning of May 21 and will officially close at the end of the business day Tuesday afternoon.

As of Monday afternoon, primary elections will be needed to narrow the field of candidates for three seats on the Rochester City Council and one position on the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners. In that race, Karl Johnson and April Suter are challenging incumbent District 3 Commissioner Gregg Wright.

Get our free mobile app

Google

The only other contested race for a position on the County Board is in District 6, where a special election will take place to fill the vacancy that will be created by the upcoming retirement of Commissioner Sheila Kiscaden. Tawonda Burks and Bob Hopkins have both filed for the seat. Incumbent Commissioners Laurel Podulke Smith, Michelle Rossman, and Mark Thein currently do not have challengers.

On the Rochester City Council, a filing on Monday has created a four-way race for the Second Ward position currently held by Mark Bransford. Former Rochester School Board member Breanna Bly has joining the Nick Miller, Loring stead, and Tripp Welch as candidates for the position.

photo submitted by Breanna Bly

Primary elections will also be needed in the Fourth and Sixth Wards. Current Fourth Ward City Council member Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick is being challenged by Andy Friederichs and Corey Sorgenfrie.

At last check, three candidates were also running for the Sixth Ward seat now held by Molly Dennis. Dan Doering, Mark Schluesner, and Becca Dyer Tesch have all filed as candidates for the position.

So far, only two candidates have filed for the At Large City Council President position. Current Fifth Ward Councilmember Shaun Palmer and Randy Schubring are vying to succeed Brooke Carlson, who earlier announced she would not be seeking reelection.

Rochester School District

Three seats on the Rochester School Board will also be on the November ballot. Incumbents Don Barlow and Karen MacLaughlin are currently running unopposed and Stephanie Whitehorn has filed for the school board seat currently held by Jessica Garcia.

More Minnesota News: