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NEW ULM-- Three new candidates filed to to run for mayor on the last day of filing, expanding the field to five candidates.
The latest three candidates to file are Kathleen Backer, Mark Rutz and Ronald Wendinger. Lonnie Luepke and Jeff Kiecker previously filed for mayor.
With five different names appearing on the ballot, a primary will be held to narrow down the list to two. The Minnesota primary is Tuesday, Aug. 9. The New Ulm mayor election will be on the primary. The two candidates with the top votes will move on to the general election in November.
The 2nd Ward and 4th Ward councilor seats are also up for election this year, but only the 4th Ward is contested, with incumbent Larry Mack challenged by Michelle Markgraf. Mack has served two terms as councilor and was first elected in 2014. Markgraf applied for the open mayor position last year and was a finalist.
In the 2nd Ward race, incumbent Eric Warmka is the only candidate. Warmka was appointed to complete former Councilor Lisa Fischer's term in Nov. 2020. He is running unopposed for a full term.
The filing period for Brown County offices also closed Tuesday. According to the Minnesota Secretary of State website, none of the county elections will be contested.
In Brown County, there are nine county offices up for election. This includes County Commissioner Districts 2, 4 and 5.
Other county positions on the ballot include county attorney, county recorder, sheriff and Brown County Soil & Water Conservation District supervisor in Districts 2, 3 and 5.
Each of the nine offices had a single person file. Anton Berg for District 2 commissioner; Brian H. Braun for District 4 commissioner; Jeff Veerkamp for District 5 commissioner; Mary Schreiner for recorder; Jason S. Seidl for sheriff; Chuck Hanson for attorney; Brad Augustin for Soil and Water District 2 supervisor; William J. Eckstein for Soil and Water District 3 supervisor and Rae L. Runck for Soil and Water District 5 supervisor.