BROOKINGS Voters in Brookings County are heading to the polls today to take part in the primary election that, in some races, is the de facto general election and will determine who holds office come Jan. 1.
That is the case regarding three races locally the Brookings County Commission and both of the state Senate and state House races District 8 where todays primary will determine which Republicans will be on the commission or in Pierre next year. No Democrats, independents or any other party fielded candidates for those positions.
District 8 covers rural Brookings County, along with areas in Kingsbury, Lake and Miner counties.
Meanwhile, over in District 7 which covers the city of Brookings todays primary will advance two Republican hopefuls for state House into the general election in November against a pair of Democrats. There is no state Senate primary for either party, as each fielded a single candidate, and they will face off in November.
Voting in the Republican primary is available only to registered Republicans. Democrats and unaffiliated voters can cast ballots in the Democratic primary, but the only question locally on that one is regarding the presidential race.
(Today) is the big day for the primary election. We do encourage everybody just to get out there and exercise your right to vote. Theres plenty of time in the day, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Brookings County Deputy Finance Officer Jenna Byrd told the Brookings Register on Monday. If there are any questions, give our office a phone call if youre wondering if youre registered to vote or have any other questions, our office is the place to call. Otherwise, get out there and go vote.
The phone number to reach out to with questions is 605-696-8250.
County commission breakdown
Two of the five seats are open, with three Republican candidates seeking them. No Democrats or independents are running, so the two top vote-getters will become, or remain as, county commissioners in January. The hopefuls are:
- Michael D. Bartley (incumbent)
- Dave Miller
- Doug Post
Current commissioner Ryan Krogman decided not to run again, and will finish out the remainder of his term.
District 7 breakdown
State House: The two Republican candidates who win there are three in all: Roger DeGroot, Jeffrey A. Struwe and Mellissa Heermann will advance to the general election on Nov. 5 to face off against Democrats Cole Sartell and Penny S. Hauffe for those two House seats.
DeGroot and Heermann are the GOP incumbents.
State Senate: There isnt a primary for either Republicans or Democrats. Each party has one candidate Tim Reed, R-Brookings, and Patty Bacon, D-Brookings and they shall contend with each other in the general election in November for that sole Senate seat.
District 8 breakdown
State Senate: As stated previously, the Republican primary is the de facto general election, since the Democrats, or anyone else for that matter, have no candidates on the ballot. Incumbent Casey Crabtree, R-Madison, and newcomer Rick Weible, R-Elkton, will face off to see who occupies the seat beginning next year.
Crabtree is the current majority leader in the state Senate.
State House: Its the same picture here, too: Aside from the Republicans, no other party or independents filed for these seats. Thus, the two candidates who win the GOP primary will fill those two House seats next year. Voters choices are:
- Newcomer Matt Wagner
- Newcomer Tim Walburg
- Incumbent Tim Reisch
The other open seat is currently held by John Mills, R-Brookings, who isnt seeking re-election.
Next up after today is the general election on Nov. 5. There is still time to register to vote for it you can do so at https://tinyurl.com/59bkts7c. The last day to register is Oct. 21.
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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