UPDATE November 20, 2020 post: Recount widens Commissioner-elect Gardner's margin in Kandiyohi County Board District 2
We've been following the re-election bid of Kandiyohi County Commissioner Steve Ahmann--and we're pleased to see that most of the narrow lead former Willmar City Council member Steve Gardner has persisted after the last mail-in ballot were received and counted.
Readers may recall our October 2019 post, Kandiyohi Co Commish Ahmann only MN elected to sign Say No to Interfaith Dialogue declaration.The signature was removed, but we'd captured a screen grab.
In the West Central Tribune Wednesday, Shelby Lindrud reports in Gardner projected winner of District 2 Kandiyohi County Board race:
The Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners race between incumbent Commissioner Steve Ahmann and challenger Steven Gardner remained razor thin for the District 2 seat throughout the week following Election Day, as Kandiyohi County waited to see if any additional ballots would arrive in the mail. At the end of the day Tuesday, County Auditor Mark Thompson reported only 12 additional ballots were counted, and only one of those ballots cast a vote in the District 2 race.
That single ballot went to Ahmann, but that is not enough to change the projected outcome of the race. As of 4:21 p.m. Tuesday, Gardner had a 13-vote lead with 1,435 votes over Ahmann's 1,422.
Due to the pandemic the state was allowing an extra week for absentee and mail-in ballots to arrive at county election offices, as long as those ballots were postmarked by Nov. 3.
State election law allows a candidate to request a recount of the results. Because the difference separating Gardner and Ahmann is less than half of 1 percent of the total votes cast, any recount looks to be funded by the county.
The county will canvass the election results Thursday morning. Ahmann has seven days following that to decide if he wants to request a recount.
Ahmann did not return requests for comment Tuesday evening.
If the results hold, Gardner will take over as the commissioner for District 2 in January. In a statement to the West Central Tribune, Gardner pledged Tuesday to represent and serve all the residents of District 2 and Kandiyohi County. He also recognized Ahmann for his public service.
"In this election, we proved that we are better together, stronger together, no matter who we are, where we are from, where we live, work, play or pray. We proved that hate is not a Kandiyohi County value, and we proved that seeking justice, loving mercy and walking humbly together wins the day," Gardner said.
The paper had endorsed Gardner for the board seat in an October 23 editorial that led with Ahmann's grumpiness:
Kandiyohi County Board’s District 2 has incumbent Steve Ahmann versus challenger Steve Gardner. It is a clear choice of a grumpy politician with a personal agenda versus a candidate interested in serving all the people.
Ahmann’s first four years on the County Board have not been beneficial for Kandiyohi County nor its residents. He seems to have an axe to grind with someone or something at almost every meeting. He seems more interested in a personal agenda at times, rather than what's best for the county. He got into a dustup with a Willmar citizen at a public meeting, which was unprofessional and raised legal concerns. He also continues to hold a narrow view of who should be residents of Kandiyohi County, much like he did during his tenure on the Willmar City Council.
More importantly, Ahmann has a tendency to antagonize many with whom he works — from Willmar and Kandiyohi County officials to other public officials around the state. Ahmann said it is important to maintain good communication with the Association of Minnesota Counties, but he does not practice what he preaches when attending AMC meetings or events. Commissioners from other counties do not like working with him. His various rants do not reflect well upon himself or Kandiyohi County.
Ahmann has not demonstrated that he deserves re-election in 2020 and it would be harmful to our county government if he were re-elected.
Gardner believes public service is a resident’s responsibility. He has served nearly a decade on the Willmar City Council and on the Willmar Planning Commission. He has also served as a board member on Vision 2040’s Leadership Committee and the Humane Society of Kandiyohi and Meeker Counties.
District 2 represents much of Willmar, including the downtown. Gardner has the background and experience to serve all the people and believes in the strength of the diversity of Kandiyohi County. “We are all one Kandiyohi County,” Garder said. How true.
Gardner understands the importance of roads and bridges in this county and its safety and economy, especially for agriculture and industry.
Gardner would be a fresh and positive face on the County Board. He is honest, straightforward and, most importantly, has demonstrated he can work collaboratively with others.
The West Central Tribune endorses Steve Gardner for County Commissioner in District 2.
Let's hope the voters' choice helps revive Willmar's reputation as a home for all. Our impression of Gardner is that he's an overall good guy.
Related posts:
- A few other MN conservative activists signed TIL's Say No to Interfaith Dialogue declaration
- Newest Minnesota anti-Muslim speaking circuit venue to host Chris Gaubatz on October 2
- Willmar's Abdulahi sisters praised in US Senate
- West Central Tribune: Just leave Willmar out of your bigoted and untrue stories about us
- Willmar student royalty: homecoming court could help show the world what their schools are like
- Fellow who threw pickled pig's foot at Willmar Farmers Market rises to council member's defense
- West Central Tribune: City Council Member Christianson should deal with bias allegations
- Muslim students attending Willmar Senior High: "we’ve got a really great community here"
- Willmar city council member defender "can't let the liberal socialistic elitists steal our freedoms"
Photo: "Steven Gardner is the projected winner of the District 2 seat on the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioner. Preliminary election results, which were updated Tuesday, have Gardner with a 13 vote advantage on incumbent Steve Ahmann. File photo/ West Central Tribune."
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