A VOTER TURNOUT OF 75 PERCENT PUT 8,790 BALLOTS THROUGH THE COUNTER ON TUESDAY’S ELECTION DAY IN MARTIN COUNTY.

THE COUNTY BALLOT INCLUDED TWO CONTESTED RACES. IN THE 4TH COMMISSIONER DISTRICT CHALLENGER RICHARD KOONS DEFEATED INCUMBENT DAN SCHMIDTKE BY A 57 – 42 PERCENT MARGIN. IN THE RECORDERS RACE DIANE SANDERS POLLED 73 PERCENT OF THE VOTE TO CLARK BERRY’S 26 PERCENT.

IN THE CITY OF FAIRMONT, MAYOR DEB FOSTER TURNED BACK A CHALLENGE BY FORMER CITY COUNCILOR JEFF WEBER BY GARNERING ALMOST 70 PERCENT OF THE VOTE. IN THE 3RD WARD RANDY LUBENOW FOUGHT OFF A LATE WRITE-IN CAMPAIGN WITH 82 PERCENT OF THE VOTE. WARD ONE COUNCILOR BRUCE PETERS WAS UNOPPOSED ON TUESDAY.

MARTIN COUNTY VOTERS FAVORED ALL THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES ON THE STATEWIDE BALLOT-TOTALLY OPPOSITE OF THE STATEWIDE VOTE THAT PUT ALL THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES OVER THE TOP.

IN STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 23A INCUMBENT BOB GUNTHER DEFEATED CHALLENGER HEATHER KLASSEN BY 61 – 38 PERCENT.