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Laurel governmental entities to see new faces
LAUREL — Several local boards and offices will feature new faces following this year’s election cycle, while others will remain largely unchanged after Monday’s filing deadline.
On the Laurel-Concord- Coleridge School Board, incumbents Jay Hall and Bryan Pippitt filed to retain their seats. Grant Settje chose not to seek re-election, and Rich Brandow — who is completing the final months of Scott Taylor’s term — also declined to run.
Political newcomer Paul Garcia has filed for one of the four open seats, leaving one position currently unfilled. That vacancy could be filled by a write-in candidate. If no one files, the remaining board members will appoint someone to serve.
The Laurel City Council will also see turnover. Incumbents June Koester and Jeff Erwin did not file for re-election. Alesia G. Barker and Cade Sohler have filed for the two open seats.
In the race for Cedar County Commissioner District 3, three Republicans will compete to replace retiring commissioner Dave McGregor. Justin Heikes filed Friday to place his name on the ballot, joining two other GOP candidates in the primary.
No Democrats filed for the seat. Unless a write-in candidate emerges before the October deadline, the winner of the May 12 primary will take office in January as the new District 3 commissioner.
At the state level, District 40 Sen. Barry DeKay is up for re-election and drew no opposition.
Two candidates with Cedar County ties have also entered the race for governor. Randolph native Sheila J. Korth-Focken has filed as a Republican and will challenge Gov. Jim Pillen in the May primary. Former state Sen. Lynne Walz, who is married to Hartington native Chris Walz, is seeking the office on the Democratic ticket.
Another man with Cedar County ties, Hartington native Thomas Kastrup, is seeking a seeking a seat in the Nebraska Unicameral from District 12, which encompasses western Omaha. District 12 is currently represented by Merv Riepe, who is seeking re-election.
Randolph voters will have a choice for mayor this year.
Former Randolph City Administrator Ben Benton filed to challenge incumbent Dwayne Schutt, who is seeking another four-year term.
The Wynot School Board race is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched local contests. Seven candidates initially filed for three seats. Incumbents Todd Pinkelman, Laurie Schulte and Susan Lenzen are seeking re-election and will be joined on the ballot by challengers Shasta Hans, Michael Klug and Ryan Boeckman.
Steve Wieseler had also filed but withdrew from the race last week.
Cedar County Clerk Jessica Schmit said that had Wieseler remained in the race, Wynot voters would have selected school board candidates in the primary because more than twice as many candidates had filed as there were seats available. With his withdrawal, that will no longer be necessary.
All three incumbents on the Hartington-Newcastle School Board — Jason Dendinger, Candice Climer and Ian Lange — filed for re-election. They will be challenged by Bryce Grutsch, who filed Feb. 19 in his first bid for public office.
On the Hartington City Council, incumbents Mayor Mark Becker and council members Cody Christensen and Colin Kathol all filed to seek another term. No challengers filed for those seats.
Voters wishing to vote in the primary must register by April 26 if registering by mail, online or at a state DMV office. In-person registration at the County Clerk’s Office will be accepted through the close of business May 1. The same deadlines apply for voters wishing to change party affiliation.
According to the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office, Cedar County currently has 5,731 registered voters. Of those, 4,019 are registered Republicans and 889 are registered Democrats.
