There's going to be a Republican primary in the MN House 23B special election to replace disgraced state representative and serial sexual harasser Tony Cornish as endorsed Republican candidate Jeremy Munson and Watonwan County Commissioner Scott Sanders battle to be their party's nominee.
Voters' choices are made even more complex by the presence of general election declared write-in candidate Nick Schmitz, whose positions on gun and property rights suggest he's more right than left. Write-in candidates aren't on the ballot, but under the special election rules, write-in requests are due by February 5, 2018 to get write-in votes for an unfiled candidate counted.
DFL contender Melissa Wagner, unopposed in the primary, will face Schmitz and the Republican nominee in the February 12 general election. Although this is a red district, Wagner is working hard to introduce herself to voters. A source in rural Blue Earth County told Bluestem that around 40 people doorknocked the district on Sunday.
Getting a jump start in this South Central Minnesota district of small towns and rural acres is a good idea, since many voters cast their ballot by mail. At the Mankato Free Press, Trey Mewes reports in Sanders files for 23B, setting up special primary:
The upcoming special election already was expected to cause difficulties for local officials mailing out ballots to smaller townships and cities with no polling places. With a looming special primary, county officials will have an even tighter deadline to certify its results before sending out mail-in election ballots at the end of the month.
"We just have a super-tight turnaround," said Michael Stalberger, Blue Earth County Taxpayer Services director.
Though the candidate filing deadline expired at 5 p.m Thursday, filings aren't made official until 5 p.m. Friday, meaning county officials have to wait a day for anyone who wishes to drop out of the race.
Stalberger said county officials will mail ballots Tuesday at the earliest. Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
"Residents will likely see ballots Wednesday or Thursday of next week, depending on their postal delivery, and Stalberger recommends people mail in their ballots or drop them off at the county elections office in Mankato as soon as possible.
Sanders sent the letter below to a voter in a rural precinct in Blue Earth County that's sent mail-in ballots:
MN23B Primary: Scott Sanders' Letter upoladed by Sally Jo Sorensen on Scribd
On the DFL side, Melissa Wagner sent an email to supporters early this afternoon with the subject head, "Tomorrow: US Senator Tina Smith in Lake Crystal to help us win 23B!" announcing door knocking and a phone bank in the rural Blue Earth County small city:
Hello [redacted],
I wanted to make sure you knew that U.S. Senator Tina Smith is going in town and helping us get out the vote tomorrow at our Doorknock/Phonebank event tomorrow at the Lake Crystal Rec Center. . . .
As Lt. Governor and now as United State Senator, Tina Smith is all about getting things done for Minnesota. I’m thrilled that she has taken time in her busy schedule to come out and help us make positive changes here in greater Minnesota.
I know it’s cold and this is short notice, but don’t miss this chance to meet your new U.S. Senator and help us reach out to as many voters as possible!
The details follow for the 10:30 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. event. Those wishing more information can contact Collect Millard - [email protected] or (507) 571-2579
Smith isn't the only elected jumping in to help an endorsed candidate. Last weekend, Munson got an assist from Republican gubernatorial contender Matt Dean, the Mankato Times reports. According to his campaign Facebook page, Munson and crew will be doorknocking tomorrow in St. James, a small city is Watonwan County.
Photo: Melissa Wagner, the sole DFL candidate and woman in the field of four.
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