City council election preview: Several seats contested

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While voters are gearing up to cast their ballots for races of governor and other state representatives, they will also be casting their votes for local city council races.

The Echo Press contacted city officials in all 11 cities in Douglas County to find out who filed for what positions.

In addition, voters will cast their ballots in Brandon Township. In the last election, Brandon Township voters decided to hold their election during the regular election instead of the usual March timeframe.

Here’s a look at who is running in the city elections and township election:

ALEXANDRIA

There are three city council seats open – Wards 1, 2 and 4.

All three incumbents have refiled for their four-year terms, including Cindy Bigger (Ward 1), Sara Carlson (Ward 2) and Dave Benson (Ward 4).

Bigger will face two challengers. Virgil Batesole and Don Kleine have filed for the position.

Carlson is running unopposed.

Steve Hensley’s name will also appear on the ballot as a challenger to Benson, but Hensley has since withdrawn from the race.

BRANDON

Doug Johnson has refiled for the two-year mayor position and will not be facing any challengers.

There are two open city council seats and three people have filed – incumbent Mary Lee Korkowski and challengers Kevin Challes and Scott Dutcher.

Shelley Suckow, incumbent, will be running as a write-in candidate.

The top two vote getters will fill the two, four-year term positions.

CARLOS

According to the Secretary of State’s website, here’s who filed for positions in Carlos: Ervin Dahl, mayor; Daniel Plowman, David Schackel, Teresa Zwieg, Jeff Schiffman and Richard “Rick” Pierson, city council.

EVANSVILLE

Two people have filed for the two-year mayor position – Terry Aasness and Ron Buse. Incumbent Jamie Englund did not refile.

Two, four-year term city council seats are open and three people have filed – incumbents Peter Mount and Richard Novotny and challenger George Belmore.

FORADA

Incumbent Kevin Zaviska has refiled for the two-year term mayor position and will not face any challengers.

Ruby Benson, incumbent clerk/treasurer, refiled for the four-year position and will also not face any challengers.

Robert Brittin, who was appointed to a city council seat because of a resignation, has filed for the position. Robert Bordeaux has also filed for the one open four-year city council seat.

GARFIELD

According to the Secretary of State’s website, here’s who filed for positions in Garfield: Gaye Mounsdon, mayor; David Dorman and Joyce Kvilhaug, city council.

KENSINGTON

There are two open city council seats, both are four-year terms, and two people have filed – incumbent Dale Rau and challenger Lorraine “Eunice” Linde. Incumbent Dawn Miles did not refile.

Two people have filed for the mayor seat – challengers Ralph Gunderson and Jim Schecker. Incumbent mayor Randy Petersen did not refile.

MILLERVILLE

None of the incumbents for the mayor race or the two open city council seats refiled. Voters will have to elect these positions with write-in votes. In the positions currently, are Bryan Tolifson, mayor; Michelle Schaffran, city council; and Doug Hauskens, city council.

MILTONA

Blaine Elbert, incumbent, has refiled for the two-year mayor seat and doesn’t face any challengers.

Two people have filed for the two open four-year city council positions. David Carter has refiled and Mickey Lint, who was appointed after a resignation, has filed for the position.

NELSON

According to the Secretary of State’s website, here’s who filed for positions in Nelson: Gerald Gay, mayor; Ann Goldie and Steven Goldie, city council.

OSAKIS

Incumbent mayor Keith Emerson will face challenger Paul Hartmann for the two-year seat.

Three people have filed for two, four-year city council positions – incumbents Bruce Pederson and Randy Anderson, along with challenger Tim Nielsen. The top two vote getters will fill the two spots.

BRANDON TOWNSHIP

Incumbent clerk Adrian Ledermann and incumbent supervisor Paul Lauthen have refiled for their positions. Brandon Township residents will also decide whether or not to extend the current four-year supervisor terms to six-year supervisor terms.

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