Fertile Election Results

FERTILE, MN—One of the most watched elections in northwest Minnesota was in Fertile, where Mayor Dan Wilkens faced two challengers.  This was after Wilkens and the Fertile City Council forced the resignation of Fair Home Nursing Home administrator Angie Leiting in June of 2023.  Many Fertile residents were unhappy with the move and on Tuesday they took out their frustrations on Wilkens.  One-time Fertile Mayor Brian Nephew (pictured) was re-elected to the job, getting 248 votes to 144 for another challenger, Todd Peterson, and 76 for Wilkens.  R&J News spoke live to Nephew Tuesday after the votes were counted.

Nephew was asked how he would want to handle the Fair Meadow Nursing Home controversy.

There was also a City Council election in Fertile on Tuesday.  Four candidates were going after two Council seats.  Newcomer Mark Sandness received 321 votes, with incumbent Amanda Bosman getting 199.  Third place finisherJohn Walters had 194 votes and Peter Van Erem received 58.