Former Mantorville mayor files for open Senate seat

Following the abrupt retirement announcement from state Sen. Carla Nelson, a Republican who has represented parts of Dodge and Olmsted counties since 2010, four candidates have entered the race for the GOP nomination.
The list includes former Mantorville Mayor Chuck Bradford, former state Rep. Nels T. Pierson, Jesse O’Driscoll and Dan Sepeda.
Rochester Public Schools teacher Simon Glaser is currently the only DFL candidate in the race.
The Senate district is 24.
Over in District 24A, a highly anticipated rematch from 2024 is expected between endorsed GOP candidate Duane Quam and DFL candidate Heather Holmes.
Quam has not officially filed to run for office as of Friday afternoon, but told the DCI previously he would run for re-election.
On the local level, Dodge County Commissioner Tim Tjosaas is expected to face off against Troy Stafford, who is making a run for the District 2 seat.
District 3 will be an open seat following the retirement announcement from Rod Peterson, as first reported by the DCI.
James Checkel has filed to run for the seat.
District 4 incumbent Rhonda Toquam has filed for re-election.
Voters will also be selecting a county sheriff and a county attorney for four-year terms. Scott Rose is the current sheriff and Paul Kiltinen is the Dodge County Attorney.
Rose filed to run for another term; he was first elected in 2014, defeating then-Sheriff Jim Jensen.
Since then, Rose ran unopposed in 2018 and 2022; no challengers have filed yet for this term.
Kiltinen previously told the DCI he would retire at the end of the term, after the Dodge County Board approved making it a full-time position beginning in January 2027.
Longtime Assistant County Attorney and Dodge County native Crysta Parkin on Monday, formally filed to run in a bid for the top job.
Supervisors will also be elected in Soil and Water Conservation District 3, currently held by Larry Scherger, and District 4, currently held by David Livingston.
No one has filed for those seats as of now.
Minnesotans will also be voting for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor and attorney general.
A number of judicial offices will also be on the ballot. One federal office is also on the ballot, that of U.S. Representative for the 1st Congressional District, a seat currently held by Brad Finstad.
Individuals seeking to run for a county office may file at the Government Services Building, 721 Main St., Mantorville. Regular business hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The deadline to file is June 2.
The Nov. 3 ballot will also include positions for city council and school board members. The filing period for those offices will be July 14-28.