Norman, Mahnomen, & Polk County Election Preview
There will be a number of contested races for county positions in Norman County this fall. Tuesday was the final day to file for election for county, state, and federal offices and four of the five county races will see an incumbent being challenged for their seat.
Norman County Sheriff Jeremey Thornton will again be challenged by Timothy Boe. Boe ran against Thornton in 2018, but lost by more than 50 percentage points. County Attorney James Brue will also see a challenger this year in Elizabeth Brainerd of Twin Valley.
For the County Commission seats, Lee Ann Hall will not have a challenger this year, but Incumbent District 3 Commissioner Steve Jacobson will face off against current Hendrum Mayor Curt Johannsen and District 2 Incumbent Commissioner Nathan Redland will have two other candidates vying for his spot. Jesse Lee of rural Ada and Randall Steen of Halstad have both filed for that office as well.
In Mahnomen County, there will be contested races for the Sheriff’s Office, District 4 and District 2. Incumbent Sheriff Josh Guenther, who is coming off his first term in office, will be challenged by White Earth Police Officer Peter Drift Sr. Due to recent redistricting, District 4 County Commissioner Karen Ahmann is now running against current District 2 Commission Scott McCollum. In District 2, current District 5 Commissioner David Geray will be up against Bridget Brooks of Lengby and Teddy Busse of Mahnomen. John Darco will run unopposed for District 5 and as will Incumbent District 3 Commissioner Larry Olson. Julie Bruggerman runs unopposed for Mahnomen County Attorney.
In Polk County, District 4 Commissioner and current Board Chair Joan Lee will run against Dennis Boucher of McIntosh and incumbent District 2 Commissioner Warren Strandell will be challenged by Curtis Knutson of Fisher. Mark Holy will run unopposed for the 5th district, as will Polk County Sheriff Jim Tadman.