Election season around the bend

Although voters might not want to begin thinking about elections until this fall, those planning to run for local seats need to get moving soon.

The filing period for the November 4 election officially begins Tuesday, July 1.

In Woodbury, those interested in running for spots in the state Legislature, the Washington County Board or soil and water conservation district supervisor must file for election no later than Tuesday, July 15. If more than two candidates file to run for any of the seats, a primary will be held Sept. 9.

House District 56

In the House District 56A election, Rep. Julie Bunn, DFL-Lake Elmo has publicly said she will run for reelection. In March, District 56 Republicans endorsed Kathy Lohmer to run against Bunn for the spot. In 56B, Woodbury resident Lee Bohlsen was endorsed by local Republicans to run against incumbent Rep. Marsha Swails, DFL-Woodbury. Both Lohmer and Bohlsen have already filed to register their campaign committee.

County Board

Three seats on the Washington County Board are slated to be up for election with one of those seats being held by Dick Stafford, who was appointed in February to fill a vacancy upon the death of Greg Orth. Orth won the election for the District 5 seat on the board in 2006, but died in January of 2008. In February, the county board appointed Stafford to fill the vacancy. Stafford, who was the District 5 commissioner before Orth, said he will not run for the spot in the fall.

District 5 encompasses most of Woodbury. The District 2 seat, which encompasses the northeast half of Woodbury and all of Lake Elmo and Oakdale is held by Bill Pulkrabek. The District 2 seat is not up for election until 2010.

The other county board seats up for election this fall currently belong to Gary Kriesel, District 3 (which includes Afton) and Dennis Hegberg in District 1 (which includes Forest Lake and Mahtomedi).

Municipal

The seats up for election on the Woodbury City Council belong to Paul Rebholz and Amy Scoggins. Because Woodbury municipal elections do not include a primary, the filing period for city council seats does not begin until Aug. 26. All seats on the Woodbury City Council are at-large positions. The filing period for city council ends Oct. 14.

For more information on filing for elected office go to www.sos.state.mn.us

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