Cottonwood County’s two contested races saw both incumbents win re-election Tuesday night.
Commissioner District 4 saw a special election for a two-year term due to redistricting. Incumbent Commissioner Norm Holmen won re-election by a narrow margin, edging Wayne “Gritz” Maras 549-512.
“I am honored to continue serving as a Cottonwood County commissioner,” Holmen said Tuesday night. “I take the office very seriously and welcome comments and suggestions anytime. I’m looking forward to working with a great leadership team.”
Maras offered his congratulations to Holmen.
“My hope is that our voters will receive the representation they deserve. Congratulations to Norm and I wish him the best,” Maras said Tuesday night.
The other contested race saw Kathleen “Kathy” Kretsch win re-election as county recorder over challenger Aimee Kruse-Sayavong, winning 2,923-1,422.
“As always, I am grateful to the citizens of Cottonwood County for their votes and confidence in me,” Kretsch said Wednesday morning. “I promise to continue looking out for their best interests over the next four years.”
Kruse-Sayavong was grateful in defeat and plans to continue working in the recorder’s office.
“I thank the Cottonwood County citizens for their support throughout this endeavor,” Kruse-Sayavong said Tuesday night. “I will assure you that I will continue to serve this community with the utmost respect and diligence in my capacity at the recorder’s office.”
One other county office saw two names on the ballot, but one of the candidates had essentially dropped out of the race and offered support to the incumbent. Donna Torkelson was re-elected as auditor-treasurer with 3,529 votes, while Linda Loewen, who dropped out of the race but was still on the ballot, received 808.
County Sheriff Jason Purrington and County Attorney Nick Anderson each were re-elected in an uncontested race.
