Where to vote, who the options are for primaries

Published 8:00 pm Sunday, August 12, 2018

A number of local primary races are scheduled for Tuesday:

 

Albert Lea Mayor

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• Incumbent Vern Rasmussen Jr.: A physical therapist at Mayo Clinic Health System at Health Reach, Rasmussen is seeking his second term in office. A former city councilor, Rasmussen was the first person in the city’s history to serve a four-year mayoral term.

• George Marin: A pastor at Grace Christian Church, Marin hopes to parlay his experience in the community and two separate tenures as city councilor — 2001 to 2008 and 2013 to 2016 — into his election.

• John Severtson: A former councilor from 1985 to 1989 and from 2005 to 2009, he currently serves as the chairman of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board.

 

First Congressional District

DFL

• Dan Feehan: Feehan, 36, was an active duty member in the U.S. Army and the National Guard as an engineer officer, serving two combat tours during the Iraq War. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor and the Ranger Tab.

• Colin Minehart: Minehart, 62, and his wife, Sue, previously owned what is now known as Bend in the Road, and now owns the Mine Agains restaurant in Alden. Minehart has spoken against tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump’s administration.

 

Republican

• Jim Hagedorn: Hagedorn, who narrowly lost to Tim Walz in 2016, supports many of Trump’s policies and pledged to help advance the president’s agenda if elected.

• Carla Nelson: Nelson, District 26 state senator, hopes to help eliminate the Affordable Care Act.

 

U.S. Senator

DFL

• Tina Smith: Smith, who replaced former Sen. Al Franken when he resigned following sexual harassment allegations, wants to allow Medicare to negotiate directly with drug companies to reduce costs.

• Richard Painter: Former ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush administration, Painter said he wants to help end corruption in Washington, D.C.

 

Republican

• Bob Anderson: A lifetime Minnesota resident, Anderson has expressed concerns about tariffs but supports some implemented by President Donald Trump’s administration.

• Karin Housley: District 39 state senator, Housley founded the Senate Aging and Long-Term Committee.

 

Minnesota attorney general

DFL

• Keith Ellison: Ellison,  U.S. representative from Minnesota’s 5th congressional district, said he supports making college debt-free and does not support the Trump administration’s temporary ban on immigrants from certain countries.

• Tom Foley: Foley, who has extensive legal experience, hopes to help prevent sexual violence and sex trafficking, opioid and drug crisis and related gang violence, school violence and other crimes.

• Debra Hilstrom: A state representative for 18 years,  Hilstrom, DFL-Brooklyn Center, said she does not support the Trump administration’s decision to end net neutrality rules passed under former President Barack Obama.

• Matt Pelikan: A general practice lawyer, Pelikan said he wants to defend consumers, stand up for employees and enforce wage and benefit laws.

• Mike Rothman: Former Minnesota commerce secretary, Rothman spoke against Mayo Clinic Health System’s decision to transition most inpatient services from Albert Lea to Austin in July during a visit to the Tribune.

 

GOP

• Doug Wardlow: Wardlow, of Prior Lake, has been endorsed by the GOP for the position. If elected, he hopes to combat opioid abuse and human trafficking.

• Sharon Anderson: Anderson supports Trump and expressed concern about “the influx of Muslims” coming into the United States.

• Robert Lessard: According to Minnesota Public Radio, Lessard is running for attorney general to protect the Legacy Amendment and its constitutionally-dedicated funding for environment, outdoor recreation and arts project against attacks by legislators and others who want the sales tax revenue for other purposes.

 

Minnesota governor

DFL

• Tim Walz: Walz, 1st Congressional District representative, supports universal background checks on gun purchases and a $1 billion bonding bill to fill transportation needs across the state.

• Lori Swanson: Swanson, Minnesota attorney general, supports lowering drug costs by allowing Minnesotans to purchase prescriptions at the reduced prices the state pays to drug companies.

• Erin Murphy: Murphy, District 64A representative, supports single-payer health care.

• Ole Savior: According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Savior is a perennial candidate and an artist, author and poet from Minneapolis.

 

Republican

• Jeff Johnson: Johnson, 51, has said state agencies such as the Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Public Transit Authority, Department of Commerce and Department of Human Services need to be revamped.

• Tim Pawlenty: Minnesota governor from 2003 to 2011, Pawlenty supports ending the state’s tax on Social Security benefits and introducing more vocational and technical training into schools.

 

Where do I vote?

The city of Albert Lea has six polling sites for primary elections. To vote in Tuesday’s primaries, here are your polling locations:

• Ward 1: Brookside School, 211 W. Richway Drive

• Ward 2: Bridge Community Church, 335 W. Clark St.

• Ward 3: United Methodist Church, 702 U.S. Highway 69

• Ward 4: Grace Lutheran Church, 918 Garfield Ave.

• Ward 5: City Hall, 221. E. Clark St.

• Ward 6: Halverson Elementary School, 707 E. 10th St.

Freeborn County has more than two dozen sites for primary elections.

• Albert Lea Township precincts 1 and 2: 1508 S. Broadway Ave.

• Alden and Alden Township: Alden City Hall, 174 N. Broadway Ave.

• Bancroft Township: Bancroft Town Hall, 75730 240th St.

• Bath Township: Bath Town Hall, 29737 762nd Ave.

• Carlston Township: Alden City Hall

• Clarks Grove: First Baptist Church, 205 S.E. Second St. in Clarks Grove

• Emmons: Emmons City Hall, 219 Main St. in Emmons

• Freeborn and Freeborn Township: Freeborn City Hall, 402 Park St. in Freeborn

• Freeman Township: Freeman Town Hall, 13517 760th Ave. in the Glenville area

• Geneva and Geneva Township: Geneva City Hall, 405 S.E. First Ave. in Geneva

• Glenville: Glenville City Hall, 221 W. Main St.

• Hartland and Hartland Township: Hartland City Hall, 407 S. Broadway St.

• Hayward Township: Hayward Town Hall, 201 Main St. in Hayward

• London Township: London Town Hall, 90314 Second St. in London

• Manchester and Manchester Township: Manchester City Hall, 70830 255th St.

• Mansfield Township: Mansfield Town Hall, 62738 150th St. in the Alden area

• Moscow Township: Moscow Town Hall, 24225 885th Ave. in the Austin area

• Newry Township: Newry Town Hall, 29048 890th Ave. in the Austin area

• Nunda Township: 13514 700th Ave. in the Twin Lakes area

• Oakland Township: Oakland Town Hall, 89138 Oakland Ave. in Oakland

• Pickerel Lake Township: Pickerel Lake Town Hall, 70600 180th St.

• Riceland Township: Riceland/Hollandale Government Center, 110 W. Park Ave. in Hollandale

• Shell Rock Township: Shell Rock Town Hall, 80976 110th St., in the Glenville area

About Sam Wilmes

Sam Wilmes covers crime, courts and government for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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