NEW ULM — Political races have developed in Sibley, Nicollet and Redwood Counties since the filing period for federal, state and county offices opened May 19.

Sibley County Chief Deputy Denley Kompelien, Wayne Nagel and Charles Fenger filed to run for sheriff May 19. The filing period continues until 5 p.m., Tuesday.

Sibley County Sheriff Patrick Nienaber announced in March that he will not seek re-election. He will retire at the end of his term after 37 years in law enforcement, 32 years with the Sibley County Sheriff’s Office.

Three men have filed for the Sibley County Commissioner District 1 seat — Mark D. Brandt, Travis Patterson and John G. Pioske.

Mankato Police Officer Chad Honetschlager and appointed Nicollet County Sheriff Aaron Petersen filed for Nicollet County Sheriff May 19.

Peterson was appointed sheriff by Nicollet County Commissioners last December after sheriff Dave Lange announced his retirement after six terms at the end of 2025. Petersen has worked for the Nicollet County Sheriff’s Office since 2004, most recently as chief deputy before he was appointed sheriff.

Tiffany Lesmeister-Knott and Heidi Wersal filed for the Redwood County Commissioner District 2 seat.

Brown County commissioners refiling for election are Anton “Tony” Berg in District 2, Brian H. Braun, District 4 and Jeffrey Veerkamp, District 5.

Other Brown County incumbents refiling for election are Recorder Mary Schreiner, Sheriff Jason S. Seidl, County Attorney Chuck Hanson.

Fifth Judicial District Court Judge Robert Docherty refiled for election.

Mark Portner filed for Brown County District 3 Soil and Water Supervisor. Derek Nelson filed for District 5 Soil and Water Supervisor.

No candidates have filed for three city council seats in Gaylord, Winthrop, and Sleepy Eye. Nobody has filed for two Gibbon, Lafayette, Courtland and Nicollet City Council seats and the mayor’s spot, the Comfrey mayor seat and one city council position. Nobody has filed for Cobden city clerk, mayor or city councilor or for two Evan City Council seats.

Nobody has filed for four school board seats in Sleepy Eye, three in Springfield, Gibbon, Fairfax and Winthrop (GFW), Nicollet, Sibley East and Comfrey.

The filing period for other area municipal and school district offices that don’t hold primaries is July 14-28.

The Minnesota Secretary of State website, has information on how to become a candidate plus general elections and voting information. Visit https://candidates.sos.mn.gov/.