Filing Deadline Passes; Incumbents Not Seeking Re-Election

Tuesday was the deadline for incumbents to file for the upcoming election, and several officials chose not to seek another term.

County officials, Antelope County Clerk Carolyn Pedersen and District #5 Supervisor Larry Baker, decided not to file for the 2014 election. However, Republican Lisa Payne, who currently work in the clerk's office, has filed as a new candidate for the clerk's position, and Republican Eddie Schindler is seeking to become the supervisor for District #5, a position he held for many years prior to Baker's term. 

Antelope County incumbents seeking re-election are Democrat Jerald Schwager, District #1 Supervisor; Republican Neil Williby, District #3 Supervisor; Democrat LeRoy Kerkman, District #7 Supervisor; Republican Heather McWhorter, Antelope County Assessor; Republican Joe Abler, Antelope County Attorney; Republican Judith Cole, Clerk of the District Court; Republican Sandy Knapp, Antelope County Treasurer; and Republican Robert Moore, Antelope County Sheriff. All of these offices are uncontested at this time.

In Neligh, three incumbents did not file for re-election--Mayor Jeri Anderson, city council member Nancy Ofe and Neligh-Oakdale School board member Sara Shabram. So far, three new candidates have thrown their hats into the ring for these positions--Joe Hartz, mayor; Dawn Wiegand, city council and Kenny Reinke, school board.
Neligh officials seeking re-election are Ted Hughes, city council; and Carrie Pitzer and Traci Jacobsen, school board.

In Elgin, Mayor Mike Schmitt has filed for the 2014 election; however, neither city council member is seeking re-election. Shirley Nissen, currently representing Ward 1, and Kenneth Jochum, Ward 2, did not file for the election and no new candidates have filed at this time. In addition, there is still one four-year term open on the Elgin school board. Ryan Reestman chose not to seek re-election. 
Elgin school board incumbents seeking another term are Steve Busteed, two-year term; Bob Hoefer, four-year term; Steve Heithoff, four-year term; and Stan Heithoff, two-year term.

In Clearwater, all three incumbents on the Clearwater school board have filed for re-election: Josh Mlnarik, Joe Thiele and Regina Krebs.

In Orchard, incumbent Lee Schacht did not file for re-election on the Orchard school board. The other two incumbents, Terri Hergert and Candice Hoke, are seeking another term.

The village trustee positions in Brunswick, Clearwater, Oakdale, Royal and Orchard automatically advance to the general election, so incumbents have until July 15 to file, according to Antelope County Clerk Carolyn Pedersen. No one has filed for these positions at this time.

Other county incumbents who have filed at this time are Steve Johnson, Neligh Township; Robert Lewis and Robert Hofacker, Antelope County Weed Control Authority; and Brian Whitesel and Maurice Soper, airport authority.

Not an incumbent? There is still time to enter the race. New candidates may file for the upcoming election until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 3 at the clerk's office, located inside the Antelope County Courthouse in Neligh.

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