Primary Race Set Up For Rochester City Council Position

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A number of races have been set up and at least one primary election will be needed to narrow the field of candidates for local elected positions that will appear on the November ballot.

The two-week filing period for the 2024 general election opened yesterday and almost immediately a race was set up for the Rochester City Council President position. Current 5th Ward Councilmember Shaun Palmer and Randy Schubring both filed as candidates for the at-large seat that is being vacated by first-term City Council President Brooke Carlson.

Two candidates have also filed for the 6th Ward City Council position currently held by Molly Dennis. Dan Doering and Mark Schluesner have made their candidacies official. At this point, it's not yet known if Dennis will pursue a second-term in the office.

A primary election will be needed in the city's 4th Ward, where incumbent Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick has filed for re-election and already faces two challengers. Cory Sorgenfrie and Andy Friederichs have both filed as candidates for the seat.

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At last check, no candidates have filed for the 2nd Ward seat now held by Mark Bransford, who previously announced he will not be running for reelection.

Five of the seven seats on the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners are up for election this year, and so far, only one race has been set up. April Sutor has filed to challenge incumbent Gregg Wright for the District 3 seat on the county board. Laurel Podulke-Smith has filed for reelection to represent District 1, Michelle Rossman has filed for another term in the District 5 seat and District 7 Commissioner Mark Thein has filed for re-election.

Three positions on the Rochester School Board are up for election in November and two of the incumbents have filed for reelection. Don Barlow is seeking another term for Seat 1 and Karen MacLaughlin has filed for re-election to Seat 3.

Only one candidate has filed for the State House seats representing the Rochester area. Democrat Heather Holmes has filed as a candidate in District 24A, which is currently represented by Republican Duane Quam.

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