2024 Election Takes Shape for Rochester Area Offices

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The official candidate filing window for this year’s election closed in Minnesota this week.

Mandatory filings with the Secretary of State’s Office indicate voters will be heading to the ballot box in August to determine which two candidates move on to November’s General Election for multiple races in the Rochester area.

A Primary will be needed to narrow the list of candidates for all four open seats on the Rochester City Council and one of the four seats on the ballot for the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners.

Only two candidates filed for each of the three open positions on the Rochester School Board.

Candidates File for Four Rochester City Council Seats

Four candidates have entered the race for the Second Ward position currently held by Mark Bransford, who is not seeking a second term. Former Rochester School Board member Breanna Bly, Nick Miller, Loring stead, and Tripp Welch will be on the Primary ballot for the position.

Current Fourth Ward City Councilmember Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick is being challenged by Andy Friederichs and Corey Sorgenfrie.

Kim David/TSM

Earlier this week current Sixth Ward Councilmember Molly Dennis announced her filing for re-election. She’ll face off against Dan Doering, Mark Schluesner, and Becca Dyer Tesch in the Primary.

A third candidate has jumped into the race to fill for the At Large City Council President position. Current Fifth Ward Councilmember Shaun Palmer, Randy Schubring and Dean Koutsoukos are vying to succeed Brooke Carlson, who earlier announced she would not be seeking reelection.

Primary Set for Open Olmsted County Board Seat, 2 Commissioners Unopposed

The Third District Seat of the Olmsted County Board is the only open position to have three candidates file with the Secretary of State. Karl Johnson and April Suter are challenging the incumbent Commissioner Gregg Wright.

Kim David/TSM

The only other contested race for a position on the County Board is in District 6, where a special election will take place to fill the vacancy that will be created by the upcoming retirement of Commissioner Sheila Kiscaden. Tawonda Burks and Bob Hopkins have both filed for the seat.

Incumbent Commissioners Laurel Podulke Smith, Michelle Rossman, and Mark Thein will be running unopposed, according to Secretary of State records.

Incumbents Have Challengers for Rochester School Board

Although there will not be a Primary Election for the three open positions on the Rochester School Board, each seat has two candidates who will be on the ballot.

Rochester Public Schools

Stephanie Whitehorn has filed for the school board seat currently held by Jessica Garcia, Karen MacLaughlin is being challenged by John Whalen and Christina Barton is challenging Incumbent Stephanie Whitehorn.

Primary Election Day in Minnesota is set for Aug. 13 with early in-person and mail-in voting running from July 28-August 12. The General Election is November 5.