Field is mostly set for local 2022 elections

The field is mostly set for 2022 elections in Hamilton County, with only one candidate adding their name to the list on the final day to file March 1.
Hamilton County Clerk Jill DeMers reported that Nicole SaBell has thrown her hat in the ring for the District 1 county commissioner seat, meaning she will go up against Joseph Sandmeier, with the winner to be determined by majority vote in the May 10 primary election. The District 1 incumbent, Becky Richter, announced in February that she would not be seeking re-election to another four-year term.
The District 5 seat will also be decided in the primary, with Francis McDonald challenging incumbent Roger Nunnenkamp. Board chairman Rich Nelson is unopposed in the District 2 race, meaning he will automatically advance to the Nov. 8 general election.
The Giltner School Board drew the largest field by far, with eight candidates seeking three open seats. Incumbent Ross Lyon filed for another three-year term, though Mykelin Watson did not. Chris Waddle was removed from office based on the results of a recall election in February, though he has indicated plans to run as a challenger. Others running for the Giltner School Board include challengers Nate Most, Jamie Bendorf, Brandon Hunnicutt, Logan Rath, Lori Humphrey and Joel Hinrichs.
DeMers noted that district patrons will be asked to vote for three candidates in the May 10 primary, with the top six vote getters then advancing to the November election.
The Aurora 4R School Board drew five candidates for three seats, all of whom will automatically advance through the primary to November. Candidates include incumbents Pat Shaw and Cyndi Muilenburg, as well as challengers Tyler Stark, Chad Svoboda and Tessa Stevens. Two-term board member Cory Ohlson opted not to seek re-election and will conclude his term in December.
The Hampton School Board has three seats up for election, with only two candidates filing. Incumbent Grant Dose filed for re-election, along with challenger Brian Litz. Incumbents Ryan Bamesberger and Linda Troester opted not to seek another term.
DeMers reported that the vacant seat can be filled by board appointment after the November election.
As for other elections, none of the county officials will face opposition, meaning all will automatically advance from the primary to run unopposed in November. They include Assessor Pat Sandberg, Clerk Jill DeMers, Clerk of the District Court Wendy Dethlefs, Surveyor Adam Goertzen, Treasurer Joann Griffith, Sheriff Jeromy McCoy, Attorney Doug Dexter.
Only once race is being contested at Aurora City Hall, as Ward 3 Council member Dan Bartling faces a challenge from Jacy Henk. Both will automatically advance through the primary with the winner to be decided in November.
Other incumbents automatically advancing including Mayor Marlin Seeman, Ward 1 Councilman Paul Lackore, and Ward 2 Councilman Dick Phillips.
Incumbents John Wilcox and Kirk Reichardt will both automatically advance in the Aurora Airport Authority election, with only two seats on the ballot.
For all of the above mentioned elections, DeMers noted that voters can request mail-in ballots at any time, with ballots scheduled to be mailed out April 11. Mail-in ballots can be filled out in the courthouse, returned by mail, or left in the drop-off box by the courthouse up until May 10. As in the past, precincts 1-6 will all be handled by mail-in ballots only, with the other precints and all Aurora wards voting in person unless mail-in ballots were requested.
Several candidates have filed for area village boards, though DeMers noted that the deadlines are different for villages, with incumbents having until July 15 and challengers Aug. 1 to make their intentions known for races to be decided in November.
Those filing thus far include: Marquette Board of Trustees, Ruby Skidmore; Phillips Board of Trustees, Les Dana, Jim Crawford, Jason Fry, Jordan Watson; Giltner Board of Trustees, Kyle Spotts; Hordville Board of Trustees, Matthew Means and Carla Fowler.
Those filing to be delegates to a county convention included Ruth Peters, William Feely, Mike Irons, Debora Irons, Curt Wolff, John Shidler, Caroline Epp, J. Gregory Epp, Kirk Penner, Jennifer Penner, Ron Elge, Shauna Moody, Jari Kolstad-Holliday, Debra Sorensen, Aidan Feely, Francis McDonald, Michelle McDonald, Anton Forsberg, Anne Daly, Lee Benson, Mike Powell, Jeremy Hunter, Elizabeth Cornwell, Debra Wolff, Dan Daly, Suzanne Kremer, Gregg Kremer, Larry Fox, Ronald Petersen, Debra Mead, Dawn Feely, Charles Huenefeld, Kevin Williams, Tracy Williams, Doris Huenefeld, Iris Bergen and Scott Scheierman.