A primary is an election that gives voters a chance to decide which candidates will represent their political party in the November general election. 

 

Primaries can also be used in nonpartisan races to reduce the set of candidates that go on to the general election.

 

The state gubernatorial seat to be contested is currently held by Democrat Mark Dayton. Dayton was sworn in on Jan. 3, 2011 and is serving his first term in office.  He is eligible for re-election in 2014 and has declared his candidacy.

 

Dayton is running with Tina Smith and is challenged  in the primary by Democrat Leslie Davis, a veteran and founder of Earth Protector, who is running with Gregory Soderberg and Bill Dahn running with James Vigliotti. He is also challenged by several other candidates. 

 

• (R) Merrill Anderson, who is running with Mark Anderson.

 

• (R) Scott Honour, who says he is a venture capitalist and is running with Karin Housley.

 

• (R) Jeff Johnson is a former state representative and is currently a Hennepin County commissioner, running with Bill Kuisle.

 

• (R) Marty Seifert is a member of the Minnesota House for Dist. 21A, running with Pam Myhra.

 

• (R) Kurt Zellers is a Minnesota State Representative and former speaker of the house, running with Dean Simpson. Also running for the Libertarian Party are Chris Holbrook and Chris Dock.

 

Chris Wright and David Daniels are running for the Grassroots legalize cannabis party and Hannah Nicolette and Tim Gieseke are running for the Independence Party.

 

Incumbent Democrat Senator Al Franken will face the winner the party winner of six GOP contenders for his seat in Washington.

 

They include Min. State Rep. Jim Abeler (R),   financial executive Mike McFadden (R), David Carlson, Patrick Munro and O. Savior. The Independence Party’s Steve Carlson, Tom Brooks, Jack Shepard, Steven Williams  and Kevin Terrell are also running against him.

 

Congressional candidates for District 6 include former state house representative and 2010 republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, who received the GOP nomination earlier this year. He is being challenged by Anoka County Board Chairperson Rhonda Sivarajah.

 

The two will face off in the primary to take on the Democrat Joe Perske in November.

 

Secretary of State candidates include Libertarian Bob Odden, Independence Party candidates Bob Helland and David Singleton, Republican Dan Severson and DFL candidates Dick Franson, Gregg Iverson and Steve Simon.

 

State auditor candidates are Libertarian Keegan Iverson, Judith Schwartzbacker for the Grassroots legalize Cannabis party, Patrick Dean for the Independence Party. Republican Randy Gilbert and Democrats Matt Entenza and Rebecca Otto.

 

Attorney general candidates are Andy Dawkins for the Green Party, Libertarian candidate Mary O’Connor, Dan. Vacek, representing Legalize Marijuana Now, Republican candidates Sharon Anderson and Scott Newman, Independence Party’s Brandon Borgos and Democrat Lori Swanson.

 

Precinct No. 1 residents vote at City Hall, on Lake Street North. This includes all Big Lake residents who live east of Lakeshore Drive and south of Hiawatha Avenue.

 

Residents of Precinct No. 2 vote at the Public Works Building located 198th Avenue. This includes all residents who live on the south side of Hwy. 10.

 

Precinct No. 3 residents vote at saron Lutheran Church, located at 311 Lake Street South. This includes all residents who live west of Lakeshore Drive and north of Hiawatha Avenue.

 

Residents of Precinct one in Big Lake Township vote at Lord of Glory Lutheran Church on Hwy. 10 and Co. Rd. 15.

 

Residents of precincts two and four vote at the Big Lake Town Hall in Lions park on co. rd. 5. Residents of Precinct three vote at the Big Lake fire Hall. 

Orrock Township residents vote at the Orrock Town Hall. off Co. Rd. 4.