On a busy election night in Rice County, election results mirrored trends across the state and across the country. Some expected wins by challengers never materialized, while others did. Some landslide victories were even stronger than anticipated, and some results were exactly what was expected.
City Council will welcome Holmes, Sokup
The Northfield City Council will seat two new faces in January. Kathleen Holmes will be the new Councilor representing Ward 1. That seat is
Ward 4 Councilor Jessica Peterson White easily won her seat for a third full term by taking more than 78% of the vote over challenger Aaron Schindler. Peterson White said she was honored, humbled and excited to win re-election, and is looking forward to what she feels can be accomplished over the next four years.
“I see big opportunities to strengthen our local economy in ways that increase our self-reliance and resilience. It will take creativity and innovation, but I know we can tackle our housing issues, improve transit and infrastructure, and ensure this is a place where everyone can afford to live, and where everyone can thrive.”
And Davin Sokup, a member of the Planning Commission, took 62% of the vote to win the open At-large seat over Thelma Estrada. Sokup becomes
“I can’t really articulate right now how much it means to me to be back in my home, and to be able to run as an out and proud transgender person and get elected. That still doesn’t happen in most places in this country, and I feel fortunate to live in a town where that wasn’t much of an issue for me.”
Nelson, Miller join Northfield School Board
The Northfield School Board will also seat two new members. Incumbent Jeff Quinnell, who garnered 18.56% of the vote, will return to the 
Both questions on the Capital Improvements Levy referendum, which was placed on the ballot by the Northfield School District passed. The first question, renewing the levy that was originally passed in 2011, received 68% of the vote. The second question, expanding the amount of money the levy will collect passed with just over 58% of the vote.
In Dundas Ashley Gallagher will become the newest member of the City Council. She takes her seat after receiving nearly 40% of the vote in a three-person race. Incumbent Grant Modory will serve another term on the council after receiving 32% of the vote. Dundas Mayor Glenn Switzer will serve another term after running unopposed.
Northfield’s Party representation in St. Paul unchanged
Despite newly drawn legislative districts, and fresh candidates, Northfield’s representation in the state legislature will look very 
In the House of Representatives, DFL endorsed Kristi Pursell, the Executive Director of Clean River Partners, defeated Gary Bruggenthies and will represent the newly drawn district 58A. Pursell fills a seat vacated in theory by Representative Todd Lippert, and said she hopes to build on the work he began.
“This seat specifically, although it had a different number, has a legacy of folks working at the intersection of agriculture and the environment. And I would be thrilled to find myself on both of those committees; on the Ag Committee and on the Environment Committee. [I would like to] be able to knit those interests and the solutions together. Because in our area, it’s two sides of the same coin.”
The two most prominent law enforcement offices were decided in yesterday’s election, and the margins of victory could not have been more different.
Thomas wins in landslide, Mortenson by slim margin
County Sheriff Jesse Thomas, who was appointed to the position last year when former Sheriff Troy Dunn retired, easily beat challenger Ross
Meanwhile, in what was expected to be a very close race, Brian Mortenson won the Rice County Attorney’s race by a razor thin 118 votes over incumbent John Fossum.
Craig wins, Dems hold ‘Red Wave’ at bay
In the 2nd Congressional District, Congresswoman Angie Craig once again defeated Republican Challenger Tyler Kistner. In a newly drawn 
“I want to congratulate Angie Craig on winning another term,” Kistner said in his concession statement. “This was a hard-fought race, and we gave the people a clear choice for the future of our country.”
Indeed, across the nation, the “Red Wave” many expected the Republican Party to generate never quite materialized. In Minnesota, Republicans had been optimistic they would take control of both the Governor’s office and the House of Representatives, while maintaining control of the Senate. Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan won a second term with more than 52% of the vote, turning away Republican Challengers Scott Jensen and Matt Birk.
In other statewide races, Secretary of State Steve Simon cruised to an easy victory over challenger Kim Crockett with more than 54% of the vote. Attorney General Keith Ellison, who many thought would not be re-elected and State Auditor Julie Blaha who found herself in a surprisingly tight race, both appeared poised to keep their jobs. With nearly two-and-a-half million votes counted, and 4,044 of 4,103 statewide precincts reporting as of 4am this morning, Ellison maintained a lead of less than 1% over challenger Jim Schultz. Blaha’s lead over challenger Ryan Wilson was even tighter, with a margin of 10, 549 votes. Both of those races appear to be headed for a recount as well.
For all the election results, visit the KYMN election guide at kymnradio.net
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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