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HARTINGTON — Cedar County will have a new county commissioner next year.
District 3 Commissioner Dave McGregor, who is completing his fifth term on the board, said he does not plan to seek re-election.
“Five terms is enough,” McGregor said. “I’ve enjoyed my time on the board, the people have been great to work with, but it’s time to let someone else do it.”
Several other county officials have already filed to seek another term, however.
Cedar County Auditor Janelle Heikes, County Treasurer Jean Wiebelhaus, County Clerk Jessica Schmit, County Sheriff Larry Koranda, County Attorney Ron Temple and Clerk of District Court Janet Wiechelman all filed paperwork last week for the 2026 election.
As of press deadline Tuesday, District 1 Commissioner Dick Donner and County Surveyor Tim Gobel had not yet filed. Both said, however, they plan to seek re-election.
District 2 Commissioner Mike Meyer is the only county official not up for election this year.
Candidate filing opened Jan. 5. Incumbents have until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, to file for office. Non-incumbents have until 5 p.m. Monday, March 2, to file in order to appear on the May 12 primary election ballot.
The 2026 general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3. Also up for election this year are Laurel City Council members June Koester and Jeff Erwin.
Four Laurel-Concord-Coleridge School Board seats are up this year, with terms expiring for Scott Tayor’s seat, Jay Hall, Grant Settje and Bryan Pippitt.
For village offices, incumbents have until Monday, July 15, to file for re-election. New candidates have until Thursday, Aug. 1, to file for village board races.
All village board races will appear on the general election ballot only.
Those filing for county and local offices do so through the Cedar County clerk’s office. Candidates for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Public Service Commission, Legislature, Natural Resources Districts and other offices file through the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office.
See ELECTION, Page 10
