Candidates chosen to advance in Koochiching and Lake County Commissioner races

Update: Dale Erikson and Rich Mastin will advance to the November primary elections. Erikson leads the polls with 49% of the vote and Mastin follows with 29% of the vote in the race for the Koochiching County Commissioner in District 5 special election.

Jack Nelson is advancing to the November primary elections for Lake County District 1 with 28% of the vote. However, there are three candidates tied for second place. Colby Abazs, Joe Baltich and Paul B. Hartshorn are tied with 22% of the vote. It is unclear at this time whether or not there will be a recount or if all will advance to the primary vote.

There are two County Commissioner races happening today, one in Koochiching County District 5 and Lake County District 1. The races are Special Elections due to the deaths of former Commissioners Wayne Skoe (Koochiching County) and Pete Walsh (Lake County) earlier this year. They both served as County Commissioner for their districts for 11 years.

County Commissioners are responsible for the operation of the county and the delivery of county services. They also represent county concerns before local, state and national boards and commissions, including school boards, city councils, township boards, and state and federal offices. County commissioners work with constituents and respond to constituent concerns.

To find your polling place, click here.

In the race for the Koochiching County Commissioner in District 5 special election, residents can vote for two candidates. They can pick from Dale N. Erickson, Rich Mastin, Dale Promersberger, or Erika Stoltzman.

In the race for the Lake County Commissioner in District 1, residents can vote for two candidates. They can pick from Colby Abazs, Joe Baltich, Mark Haarman, Paul B. Harshorn, Steven Marolt, or Jack Nelson.

The polls close at 8 p.m. and we will have race results available at our election page on WDIO. Two candidates will move forward to the General Election on Tuesday, November 7.