Insurance agent Dave Klatt and civil engineer John Schulte V will advance to the special general election in May after receiving the most votes Tuesday during the special primary election for the vacant 1st Ward Albert Lea City Council seat.

Klatt had the most votes cast in the primary with 119 votes, followed by Schulte with 103.

There were 279 total votes cast out of 2,223 registered voters. This equaled out to a 12.5 percent voter turnout.

Also running were Stuart Olson, who received 25 votes, Harold Kamrath, who received 14, George Gillespie, who received 14, and Jeff McLaughlin, who received four. These four candidates were eliminated Tuesday.

“I appreciate the support the voters gave,” Klatt said. “I’m excited for the opportunity to move forward with helping the city of Albert Lea.”

Klatt, 50, and Schulte, 34, came up to the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office at the Freeborn County Courthouse to see the results firsthand.

Schulte, who waited with his wife, said he, too, was excited to move forward.

He said he was fairly confident going into the election and was hopeful he would do well. He thanked all the people who voted for him.

The primary election was held Tuesday after former 1st Ward Councilor Vern Rasmussen accepted an immediate appointment as mayor in November. The seat has been vacant ever since.

Klatt, who owns Dave Klatt State Farm Insurance, said he decided to run for office because he felt it would be a good opportunity for him to offer his experience. In addition to being an insurance agent, he is a financial services adviser there.

He has been involved with numerous organizations in the community.

Schulte, who is a partner at Jones, Haugh & Smith, said he decided to run for office because he saw the need. Plus, with his work as a licensed civil engineer, he’s had quite of bit of experience working with different councils.

Klatt and Schulte said now that they are moving forward to the general election they plan to reach out to more residents and campaign more diligently.

Gillespie congratulated Schulte and Klatt for winning the primary and thanked everyone who voted for him.

When asked to respond to the results of the election, Olson stated: “It’s one of those things, either you win or you don’t, you just do your best.

Kamrath could not be reached for comment.

McLaughlin announced a few weeks ago he longer was seeking the seat, though his name was still on the ballot.

The votes will be certified March 24.

The special general election for the vacant 1st Ward seat will be May 3.

1st Ward results
George Gillespie    14
Harold Kamrath    14
Dave Klatt        119*
Jeff McLaughlin    4
Stuart Olson         25
John Schulte V     103*
Total votes        279
*advances to special general election