Wow, what an election huh? People on all sides of the political spectrum flocked to the polls and parking lots were jammed most of the day. Some lines at election sites extended well outside their doors. Election judges and workers did well to escort voters to booths, kiosks and tables as well as to the ballot-counting machines during peak times.

 

Well before voting sites closed Tuesday, election officials across the country reported long lines and shattered voting records for  tumultuous, yet riveting campaigns at the local and federal levels.

 

In Sherburne County alone where there were a total of 53,671 registered voters Tuesday, 48,286 of them casting a ballot.

 

The federal election results pleased many and displeased many more. The same could probably be said for the local elections for mayor, council, school board and county commissioner.

 

For mayor of Becker, two candidates vied for the position with Incumbent Jerome “Lefty” Kleis taking on tenured Council Member Tracy Bertram. 

 

Kleis tended to run his campaign aggressively — getting his campaign signs along populated roads and in front of businesses. He also ran half-page ads twice in the newspaper. Kleis, more an extrovert than his opponent, was comfortable going door-to-door — even to homes displaying his opponents’ signs in their yards — to get his message across to his constituents.

 

Bertram also used yard signs, and went door-to-door, only she preferred to attach door hangers to homes rather than, as she put it, “interrupt people’s  family time.” Bertram also relied heavily on social media (Facebook, etc.) to get her message out.

 

Out of 2,554 registered voters at the start of the day, Kleis received 1,048 (45.8%) while Bertram pulled in 1,226 (53.58%). Fourteen write-ins were tallied.

 

“When I found out the official results Wednesday, I finally got to exhale,” said Bertram, who thought she had won the night before, but had to wait to see if absentee ballots had been part of the tally.

“It was close and I have to admit I was nervous the entire time,” she said.

 

Bertram, who will be sworn in at the first council meeting in January, said one of her first goals as mayor is to heal the discord between council, city staff and the citizens.

 

“We are to work as a team and I’m excited to work with all of them,” she said.

 

Kleis said he was “would like to congratulate all the winners from the 2016 elections. I wish you well in your future endeavors.”

 

“To the residents of Becker and surrounding areas that have supported me, I would like to say thank you, it has been my privilege,” he said.

 

For the two open council seats, Todd Hanrahan and Mike Doering beat out Dennis J Rzeszotarski in a close race. Rzeszotarski collected 880 votes, Hanrahan 1,064 and Doering 1,258.

 

“I'm honored to be voted in by the residents of Becker,” said Hanrahan.  “As I've said in the past, I believe we have some unfinished business. I think  with the focus of everybody involved, we can support existing (businesses) and successfully attract new companies and jobs for Becker.”

 

Doering has past experience with local government and served Becker as mayor back in 1986 when Pebble Creek was developed.

 

In one of the bigger surprises in the local election, Becker resident and business owner John Riebel was beat out for District 3 Commissioner by newcomer Tim Dolan of Elk River. Dolan received 5,057 votes while Riebel collected 3,769. There were 28 write-in candidates.

 

Three seats on the District #726 School Board were up for election with three candidates running.

 

Jason Kindred received the most votes, tallying 3,438 while Connie Robinson received 3,215 and Lori Molus 3,062. 

There were 117 write-ins.