Breaking down the 2024 ballot: Races, candidates and questions

(KNSI) – The presidential race is taking center stage this year, but voters still have several other decisions to make on Election Day.

At the federal level, there is a national U.S. Senate race between three-term Democrat Amy Klobuchar and Republican candidate Royce White. There are two congressional elections in the region. Incumbent District Six Congressman, Republican Tom Emmer, is seeking a sixth term against Democratic candidate Jeanne Hendricks. In the Seventh District, Republican Michelle Fischbach is asking voters for a third term over Democrat AJ (John) Peters.

While the Minnesota State Senate is not up for election this year, all members of the House of Representatives are. There are four key races to keep an eye on in central Minnesota. In District 13A, House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth is running for her fourth term against Democrat Cindy Aho. The race for House 13B pits seven-term Republican Tim O'Driscoll against Democrat Dusty Bolstad. In District 14A, Republican Bernie Perryman is seeking a second term. She is being challenged by Democrat Abdi Daisane. In District 14B, Democrat Dan Wolgamott is hoping voters send him back to St. Paul for a third term against Republican challenger Sue Ek.

At the county level, Stearns County residents must decide whether to use a 3/8 cent sales tax to cover the cost of a $325 million criminal justice center. The district has outgrown its old system. If the sales tax is not approved, the costs will be covered by property taxes. Commissioner Joe Perske wants to retain his seat in Stearns County's Second District against Jerry Theisen. The area includes the townships of Brockway, Wendel and Le Sauk and the cities of St. Joseph and Sartell.

Important elections are taking place in several cities, including St. Cloud, where the first new mayor in 20 years will be elected. Councilors Jake Anderson and Mike Conway face off on the ballot. They want to replace Mayor Dave Kleis, who announced earlier this year that he would not seek a sixth term. There are also three seats up for grabs in the city council. Running for one spot are incumbent George Hontos and newcomers Omar Abdullahi Podi, Scott Brodeen, Mark Johnson, Hudda Ibrahim and Tami Calhoun.

Sartell must fill two council seats between Rustin Deters, Marshall Grams and Pat Lynch. Sauk Rapids is looking to replace Mayor Kurt Hunstiger after he announced his retirement after 30 years with the city. Following in his footsteps are city councilors Jason Ellering and Nick Sauer. In the Waite Park mayoral race, councilmen Mike Lindquist and Ken Schmitt are hoping to replace longtime Mayor Rick Miller, who has decided not to seek another term. There are three people running for mayor in St. Joseph. They are Jon Hazen, Robert Loso and Adam Scepaniak. In the race for St. Joseph City Council, three candidates are seeking to fill two seats. They are Kelly Beniek, Troy Goracke and Adam Schnettler.

In St. Cloud Area School District 742, seven candidates are running for four open seats. They are incumbent Scott Andreasen, Yoanna Ayala-Zaldana, incumbent Al Dahlgren, Diana Fenton, incumbent Shannon Haws, Bruce Hentges and incumbent Monica Segura-Schwartz. Sartell-St. Stephen Schools will select three candidates from a pool of six candidates. They are Aaron Alexander, Michael Gruber, incumbent Tricia Meling, incumbent Matthew Moehrle, Michael Ringstad and Chelsea Thielen. Sauk Rapids-Rice has five candidates running for four open seats. They are NiCole JH Broman, Ryan Butkowski, Samantha Dwyer, Mark Hauck and Tracy Morse.

St. Cloud voters have two ballot questions to decide. One is seeking approval to use property taxes to build a sixth fire station in the underserved neighborhood around Tech High School. The building will cost $43.5 million and will be paid for over 20 years. It would cost the average homeowner $9 per month. Voters also have the opportunity to change their voter in local elections. A ballot question asks whether voters want to move St. Cloud's municipal elections to odd-numbered years instead of the current even-year schedule. Outgoing Mayor Kleis made the suggestion during his State of the City address, believing it would bring more attention to local races.

A statewide ballot question asks voters to pursue a constitutional amendment that would use 40% of lottery profits to support nature, such as land for parks, recreation areas and habitats, water resources and environmental education. Since it was first approved in 1991, more than $1 billion has been used to finance more than 1,600 projects

The general election will take place on November 5th and postal voting is already underway.

Look at what's on your ballot by clicking here.

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