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Editor's Note: Updated to add information about the filing of George "Corky" Berg, who was inadvertently missed when story was initially published.
WILLMAR — Only two days into the filing period for those interested in running for elected office, there are already a handful of candidates who have filed their affidavit of candidacy, either with the city of Willmar or Kandiyohi County.
The candidate filing period runs from May 17 through May 31. A primary election, if needed, will take place on Aug. 9, with the general election to follow on Nov. 8.
State
Dave Baker, who has represented the city of Willmar and portions of Kandiyohi County in the Minnesota House of Representatives for nearly eight years, has filed to run for a fifth term.
Due to redistricting, Baker is now running for District 16B, which includes more of Kandiyohi County. He previously represented northern portions of the county. Redistricting added the communities of Raymond, Blomkest and Prinsburg and the townships of Edwards, Holland and Roseland to the district.
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Baker, who lives in Willmar with his wife, Mary, owns Baker Hospitality Inc., which operates the Grandstay Hotel and Event Center located between Spicer and New London, Green Lake Cruises in Spicer and Willmar’s Super 8.
Kandiyohi County
There are three Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners seats up for election this year — Districts 1, 3 and 5.
George "Corky" Berg will be running for reelection in County Commissioner District 1. It will be for his second term. He worked 28 years for Kandiyohi County Human Services as a social worker and then its director.
Just two years after having won his seat on the County Board, Duane Anderson has filed to run for re-election in District 5. Anderson has to run again due to redistricting, which added the city of Pennock and St. Johns Township to the district.
Anderson, of Lake Lillian, served for decades on the East Lake Lillian Township Board before deciding to run for county commissioner. He replaced Harlan Madsen in 2020. He is also a longtime farmer.
So far two candidates have filed to run for the Kandiyohi County Board seat in District 3, currently held by Rollie Nissen.
Kim Larson, of Willmar, has filed to run for the County Board in District 3. Dale H. Anderson, of Belgrade, has also filed to run.
The district covers a small portion of northern Willmar, along with the townships in the northwest quarter of the county. No longer part of the district are Pennock and St. Johns Township, which moved to District 5.
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Also up for election this year are the Kandiyohi County sheriff and attorney. Current County Attorney Shane Baker has filed to run for re-election, for what would be his third full term.
There are two candidates running for Kandiyohi County Sheriff.
Current Sheriff Eric Holien has filed to run for his second term. Prior to his election he served as a law enforcement officer for Kandiyohi County, Meeker County and the Lower Sioux Tribal Police.
Also running for sheriff is Eric Tollefson. He has served the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office for 26 years, first as a detective and then as a patrol sergeant.
Willmar
Zeke Dahl has filed to run for the mayor of Willmar. It will be his second attempt, having run also in 2018, a race that was won by current Mayor Marv Calvin.
