School board race heats up

RANDOLPH – The field to fill the Randolph school board became crowded with a total of five candidates to fill three seats with the latest filings at the Cedar County Clerk’s Office.

And there’s still time to add more candidates with the deadline more than a week away.

Jim Scott and Lisa Linville, school board incumbents, did not file for re-election by last week’s deadline, leaving space for newcomers to fill the board.

Scott said after four terms it’s time for someone else to serve.

“I just thought it’s time for some new blood. It’s always good for people who have kids in school to be on the board and know what’s going on, and are active in going to different functions at both the elementary and high school,” he said.

Serving the last 16 years has been rewarding, he said, especially his work on the building and grounds committee.

Scott said coming off the school board will allow him more time in his fire chief role.

Cody Backer is the only incumbent seeking to retain his seat. So far, Tiffany Gatzemeyer, Anson Dockhorn, Corby Robinson and Lucas Stueckrath will also appear on the ballot for a school board seat.

Robinson said he has a vested interest in the school system as he and his wife, Salle, have Corby Jr., in fifth grade, and Sydney, a freshman.

“I just want to help the community and have some control over what my kids are doing and what’s being taught to my kids. Since I have kids in the system, I thought I’d help out during that time,” he said.

He grew up in Randolph and attended Randolph Public Schools, moved out of state and then returned about three years ago.

“I wanted my kids to have what I grew up with, to have more of a hometown upbringing,” he said.

Robinson owns his own construction business, Robinson Builders, and is currently working on constructing his own family home on the family farm.

Dockhorn has three children in the local school system, and is currently engaged in farming.

“I have three kids in school and that’s part of it,” he said. “I wanted to be a part of that for them. The other thing is, I’m a landowner in the district and want to ensure financial responsibility.” Stueckrath doesn’t have any children in school and so that gives him a unique perspective, he said.

“I just think I can make a difference,’ he said. “I just want to support the community somehow and just wanted to do my time.”

Stueckrath was born and raised in Randolph and engages in farming.

Gatzemeyer’s background information was included in last week’s Randolph Times.

In the Randolph city council race, incumbents Ted Stubbs and Janelle Biernbaum are not seeking re-election. So far, no candidates have filed to take their place.

Candidates have until Friday, March 1, to file the appropriate paperwork to appear on the May primary ballot.

All village board races such as those in Belden and Magnet will appear on the general election ballot only and so those filing deadlines are later this summer.

The general election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Residents can look up their voter registration or register to vote online through the Nebraska Secretary of State website, sos.nebraska.gov/ elections/elections-division. There is also a form available online or in person at the Cedar County Clerk’s Office.

The Secretary of State indicates there are more than 1.2 million active registered voters in the state – more than 600,000 registered Republicans; more than 330,000 registered Democrats; 18,000 Libertarians; 5,000 for the Legal Marijuana NOW party and more than 260,000 who vote nonpartisan.

In 2022, Nebraska voters approved a constitutional amendment requiring voter to show ID. In June 2023, the governor signed into law.