Filing Deadline For Primary Election Candidates Passes

The deadline for non-incumbents to file for election in Jefferson County, Tuesday, March 1, has passed. February 15, was the final day for incumbents to file for re-election.County Attorney:No candidates have filed for the position of county attorney. Instead, the current county attorney, Joseph Casson, has filed to run for county attorney in Thayer County. The current Thayer County Attorney, Dan Werner, has opted not to run for re-election.Casson has informed FJN that Jefferson County can contract with him, so that he may serve as county attorney for both Jefferson and Thayer counties.County Assessor:The county assessor, Mary Banahan, has not filed for re-election. No other candidates have filed, either.County Commissioner Mark Schoenrock told FJN, “If there is no person elected through the electoral process, then it becomes the responsibility of the county board to appoint a person to the position to start the new 2023-2027 term.”Commissioner Gale Pohlmann pointed out, “there is always the possibility of someone doing a 'write-in' later before the May or November elections. We just have to wait.”County Surveyor:No one has filed to run for county surveyor.Jefferson County Surveyor Jerry Haines first announced his retirement at a meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners on January 11. Haines was appointed to his position by the county. However, since that time, a new law has changed Jefferson County, Nebraska, Revised Statute 32-525.Previously, county surveyors could be appointed by the county or elected to the position. The revised statute states the surveyor “shall be elected in each county having a population of less than one hundred fifty thousand inhabitants at the statewide general election.”However, the statute does allow for exceptions. The statue states, “Except as provided in section 22-417 and except for counties which vote not to elect the county surveyor as provided in subsection (2) or (4) of this section.”In the 2020 election, Jefferson County voters chose to make the position an elected official.County Commissioners:Incumbent county commissioner Mark Schoenrock (Republican), District 1, was the first Jefferson County candidate to file, appearing right at 9 a.m., when the county clerk's office opened. He is being challenged by Democrat Glenn Behrends.Jefferson County Commissioner Michael Dux (R), District 3, has also filed.County Treasurer:Running for county treasurer are incumbent Leroy Bast (R) and challenger Vickie Banahan (D).City Council:Four incumbents are currently up for re-election to the Fairbury City Council: Tim Polson (Ward 1), Brian Schmidt (Ward 2), Dustin Schmidt (Ward 3) and Phillip E. Rogge (Ward 4). There are no challengers to the incumbents.Dustin Schmidt was appointed to the City Council to replace Councilperson Rick Carmichael, who passed away June 13, 2021.Sheriff:There are three candidates for Jefferson County Sheriff: Incumbent Sheriff Nick Georgi (R), Deputy Cody Barry (R), and former Deputy Wilbur Young.Georgi was appointed as sheriff by county commissioners after the resignation of Sheriff Matt Schultz in May of 2021.Airport Authority:Filing for airport authority are incumbents Sandi Decker and Kent Preston.County Clerk:Kristina Riggle (R) (incumbent)Clerk of the District Court:Shawna Taylor (R) (incumbent)Fairbury School District #8 Board of Education:Two incumbents, Barry Schwab and Jonathan Winter, are being challenged by Jerold Ebke, Neil Lucking and Andrea Schmidt.Tri-County School District No. 300, Board of Education:(Saline) Brian Quackenbush, (Gage) Derrick Damrow, (Saline) Brian ScherlingMeridian School District No. 303, Board of Education, By District:(Thayer/Fillmore) Joy Barton, (Jefferson) Jason Bartels, (Saline) J. Scott Sobotka.

Happy Birthday, Nebraska

Wind Farm Moratorium Extended

Related Articles

Solar Winds Bring Northern Lights South to Nebraska

Wind Farm Repowering Moves Forward Despite Appeals

Temperatures Drop But Fire Danger Remains

Nebraska State Patrol Warns of Scam