Tuesday’s lines to vote in person at local polling stations were astonishing as voters lined the sidewalks and parking lots to cast their votes in the 2020 general election.
Polling stations opened their doors at 7 a.m., but wasn’t entirely expected were the long lines already stacked up far before the doors were unlocked. Some early voters said they waited in line for over an hour while others said the stations were well-managed and only had to wait 20 or so minutes.
Presidential Race
In the most anticipated race at the national level, President Donald Trump (GOP) was vying for four more years with Joe Biden (DFL) trying to lasso the head of state job and head of government of the United States.
As of this week’s deadline for the Patriot, a declaration for either candidate had not been made. Biden, however, was declared Minnesota’s winner with 52% of the votes (1,681,670) compared to Trump’s 45% (1,451,773).
Roque “Rocky” De La Fuente and Darcy Richardson (IA Party), Howie Hawkins and Angela Walker (Green Party), Kanye West and Michelle Tidball (Independent), Brock Pierce and Karla Ballard (Independent), Gloria La Riva and Leonard Peltier (Socialism and Liberation Party), Alyson Kennedy and Malcolm Jarrett (Socialist Workers Party), Jo Jorgensen and Jeremy “Spike” Cohen (Libertarian Party) also ran against the top two parties.
U.S. Senator
Jason Lewis (GOP) ran against Tina Smith (DFL) along with Kevin O’Connor (Legal Marijuana Now) and Oliver Steinberg (Grassroots - Legalize Cannabis). Smith prevailed with 49% (1,534,627) of the votes compared to 43% (1,368,220) for Lewis. O’Connor pulled in 6% and Steinberg 2%.
U.S. Rep. District 6
Incumbent Tom Emmer (GOP) ran against Tawnja Zahradka (DFL). Emmer defeated Zahradka, 66% (262,555) to 34% (134,109).
State Senator District 15
Andrew Mathews (GOP) ran against DFL-er Brent Krist and Mathews garnered 31,888 (75%) of the votes compared to 10,741 (25%) for Krist.
State Senator District 30
Mary Kiffmeyer (GOP) ran against Diane Nguyen (DFL) and won her race, 67% (32,864) to 32% (15,730).
State Rep. District 30A
Incumbent Paul Novotny (GOP) took on Chad Hobot (DFL). Novotny captured 67% (14,535) of the votes compared to Hobot’s 33% (7,188).
State Rep. District 15B
Incumbent Shane Mekeland (GOP) took on Ron Thiessen (DFL) and Myron Wilson (Veterans Party). Mekeland took 72% of the votes (16,740) while Thiessen pulled in 22% (5,089) and Wilson .13% (31).
Becker Mayor
Mayor Tracy Bertram was elected for four more years in Becker as she ran unopposed and received 1,872 votes.
Becker Council
For two regular council seats, four candidates vied for the term in Mike Doering, Becky Olmscheid, Curtis Hed and Zac Corrigan. Olmscheid garnered 36% (1,213) while Doering took in 28% (933) to win the two seats. Hed had 540 votes and Corrigan 622.
Robin Dingmann and Dennis J. Rzeszotarski vied for the special election seat on council and Dingmann prevailed with 68% (1,336) of the votes compared to 632 for Rzeszotarski.
ISD #726 (Becker) School Board Member
Three seats were up for election from a field of four candidates in Sarah S. Schafer, Cindy Graham, Lawrence Giebenhain and Connie Robinson. Schafer (3,031), Graham (2,952) and Robinson (2,618) were voted in Tuesday.
Big Lake Mayor
Paul Knier won (62% - 3,172 votes) his bid for Mayor of Big Lake over Mike Wallen (38% - 1,924).
Big Lake Council
Two regular council seats were up for election with Paul Seefeld, Sam Hanson and Alan Heidemann battling for the seats. Seefeld (42% - 3,110) and Hanson (36% - 2,634) captured the seats. A special election for one council member seat was fought by Ken Halvorson and Ketti Green. Halvorson prevailed with 58% (2,760) votes compared to Green’s 41% (1,931).
Hospital District
Hospital District Board Member at Large (Monticello-Big Lake Community) saw Linda Doerr Kappel (nonpartisan) run unopposed and she tallied 21,505 votes.
Hospital District Board Member (Big Lake) saw James Dickinson run unopposed and pull in 3,738 votes.
ISD #727 (Big Lake) School Board Member
Three seats were up on the board in a field of five candidates with Lori Kampa (4,180), Tony Scales (3,705) and Amber Sixberry (3,417) winning with the most votes.
Big Lake Twp.
Special Election for Town Supervisor Seat 1 (Big Lake Township) saw Eric Rosa and Dean Brenteson running for the one seat. Brenteson prevailed with 59% (647) votes to 41% (453) for Rosa.
A Special Election for Town Supervisor Seat 4 (Big Lake Township), saw Judy Wilts and Mark Hedstrom vie for the one seat. Wilts won with 53% (590) to 46% (516).
For Town Supervisor Seat 3, Bruce Aubol ran unopposed and pulled in 983 votes.
Orrock Town Supervisor Seat C
Gregg Felber (nonpartisan) ran unopposed and received 1,121 votes.
Orrock Town Supervisor Seat D
Corrie Silverberg (nonpartisan) ran unopposed and received 1,109 votes.
Orrock Town Clerk
Chris Weber ran unopposed and reeled in 1,114 votes.
Sherburne County Commissioner District 1
Incumbent Barbara Burandt (nonpartisan) ran against Andrew Hulse (nonpartisan). Burandt eked out the win, 51% (3,744) to 48% (3,521).
Sherburne County Commissioner District 3
Incumbent Tim Dolan (nonpartisan) ran against Anne M. Kostrzewski (nonpartisan). Dolan achieved 58% of the votes (5,373) while Kostrzewski took 42% (3,872).
Sherburne County Commissioner District 5
Incumbent Lisa A. Fobbe (nonpartisan) ran against Bryan D. Lawrence (nonpartisan). Fobbe won a very close race, 51% (4,219) to 48% (3,996).
Sherburne CountySoil and Water Supervisor Districts 1, 3 and 5
Shelly Binsfeld (nonpartisan) ran unopposed in District 1. Larry Goenner (nonpartisan) ran unopposed in District 3 and Roger Nelson (nonpartisan) ran unopposed in District 5.
ISD #728 (Elk River)School Board Member
Three seats were up on the board in a field of three candidates with Christi Tullbane (559), Holly M. Thompson (656) and Joel Nelson (672) winning with the most votes.
Haven Twp.
Town Supervisor Seat A saw Mark Knowles prevail with 521 votes compared to 453 for Chad Hamann.
For Seat B, Eric Meyer (440) beat out Jeff Schlingmann (284) and Larry R. Larson (218) for the one seat.
ISD #51 (Foley)School Board Member
Four seats were up on the board in a field of seven candidates with Emily Lachinski (16), Sharon Kipka (12), Valerie Timm (12) winning three of the seats. Patric Lewandowski (10) and Amber Britz (10) tied for the last seat.
Clearwater Soil and Water Supervisor Districts 1, 2, 4 and 5 had incumbents run unopposed (Michael W. Zieska , Jeffrey Burns, Chris Uecker and Duane Dahlman).
Clearwater Mayor
Andrea Lawrence Wheeler ran unopposed and received 793 votes.
Clearwater Council
Two seats were up for election with Richard W. Petty (623 votes) and Lindsey Luhmann (546) gaining seats.
ISD #742 (St. Cloud)School Board Member at Large
Seven candidates were running for four seats on the board in Monica M. Segura-Schwartz, Andrea Preppernau, Hani Omar-Jacobson, Shannon Haws, Scott Andreasen, Omar Abdullahi Podi and Al Dahlgren. Haws (22,540), Andreasen (20,438), Segura-Schwartz (18,495) and Dahlgren (17,982) won the four spots.
Clear Lake Mayor
Tim Goenner ran unopposed and received 257 votes.
Clear Lake Council
Two seats were up for election with Karen White (209 votes) and Stefany Janish (202) gaining seats.
Wright County Commissioner District 2
Incumbent Darek Vetsch (nonpartisan) ran against Tom Perrault (nonpartisan). Vetsch pulled out the win, 55% (6,695) to 44% (5,331).
Wright County Commissioner District 4
Incumbent Mary Wetter (nonpartisan) ran against Michael Potter (nonpartisan). Wetter triumphed with 51% of the votes (5,769) to Potter’s 49% (5,538).
Wright County Commissioner District 5
Incumbent Mike Kaczmarek (nonpartisan) ran against Daniel W. Bravinder (nonpartisan). Kaczmarek won with 65% (9,683) of the votes compared to 34% (5,109) for Bravinder.
Wright CountySoil and Water Supervisor Districts 1, 2, 4 and 5
Michael W. Zieska (nonpartisan) ran unopposed in District 1. Jeffrey Burns(nonpartisan) ran unopposed in District 2, Chris Uecker ran unopposed in District 4 and Duane Dahlman (nonpartisan) ran unopposed in District 5.
State Senator District 13 (Lynden Twp.)
Jeff Howe (GOP) ran against incumbent Michael Willemsen (DFL). Howe prevailed with 74% (868) of the votes compared to 25% (294) for Willemsen.
State Rep. District 13A(Lynden Twp.)
Lisa Demuth (GOP) ran against Katy Westlund (DFL). Demuth won with 72% (844) to 28% (327) for Westlund.
Stearns County Commissioner District 4
Jeff Johnson (nonpartisan) ran against Leigh Lenzmeier (nonpartisan). Johnson won with 59% (621) of the votes to 40% (422) for Lenzmeier.
Soil and Water Supervisor Districts 2, 3 and 4 incumbents ran unopposed (Arlyn Lawrenz (866), Kenneth Schefers (866) and Matthew Bruyette (848).
Associate Justice Supreme Court 4
Michelle MacDonald (nonpartisan) ran against Paul Thissen (nonpartisan). Thissen prevailed with 59% (1,448,421) votes over 41% (993,225) for MacDonald.
Judges
Judges for the Court of Appeals 3, 9, 13 and 15 all ran unopposed (Carol Hooten, Randall J. Slieter, Jeanne Cochran and Kevin Gross).
For 10th District Courts 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 17, 22, 23, 24, 26, 28, 32, 35, 38, 39 and 43 — all candidates ran unopposed (Juanita C. Freeman, Suzanne M. Brown, Douglas B Meslow, Stoney L Hiljus, Richard C. Ilkka, Laura A. Pietan, Sheridan Hawley, Nancy J. Logering, Thomas R. Lehmann, Patrick W. Flanagan, Melissa M. Saterbak, Catherine (Kate) McPherson, Karin L. McCarthy, Barry A. Sullivan, Karen B. Schommer, Elizabeth H. Strand, Ellen Louise Maas, Gregory G. Galler, Walter M. Kaminsky and Jonathan Jasper).
For 7th District Courts, 2, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28 and 30 — all candidates ran unopposed (Jay D. Carlson, Matthew E. Engelking, Michelle W. Lawson, Andrew Pearson, Kevin M. Miller, Michelle L. Clark, Leonard A. Weiler, Sarah E. Hennesy, Robert Raupp, Doug Clark, Amber B. Gustafson, Michael S. Jesse, Mark J. Herzing, Tammy L. Merkins, Antoinette C. Wetzel and Jade M. Rosenfeldt).
