The race for Clay County attorney took an unexpected turn Tuesday, the last day for filing to run in this fall's elections, when acting County Attorney Ken Kohler an-nounced he will not run for the office.
The move pares the race to Assistant County Attorney Brian Melton, who is running his campaign from Iraq, where he is now deployed for military service, and Anita Flatt, a Hawley attorney who has practiced law for 10 years.
In a press release, Kohler threw his support to Melton, saying he felt Melton was highly qualified for the office and would have been a serious contender for interim county attorney in place of former County Attorney Lisa Borgen if he hadn't been sent overseas.
Kohler was appointed to the office by the County Board in January to take Borgen's place after Gov. Tim Pawlenty named her a 7th Judicial District judge.
The 2006 base salary for county attorney is $79,507.
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Filings for other contested county races include:
- Lori J. Johnson and Kenley V. Just, both of Moorhead, will face off for county auditor/treasurer. Johnson currently holds the post, which has a four-year term.
- Jon Evert of Comstock and Mark Olaf Altenburg of Hawley will vie for the District 3 seat on the County Commission. Altenburg filed Tuesday. Evert currently holds the post, which has a four-year term.
- Duane Hansen of Hawley filed Tuesday to run against incumbent Bill Bergquist of Moorhead for sheriff. However, Johnson said she must check with the secretary of state's office to determine whether Hansen can run for the office because his application says he does not have a peace officer's license. Bergquist is seeking a second four-year term as sheriff.
Filings for other offices include:
- Kevin Campbell, Oakport Township, for the District 4 County Commission seat. The office has a four-year-term.
- Bonnie Rehder, Moorhead, for a fifth term as county recorder. It has a four-year term.
- Kenneth Schellack, Glyndon, for a four-year term as soil and water supervisor for District 3.
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- Paul Krabbenhoft, Moorhead, for a four-year term as soil and water supervisor for District 4.
Base salaries for the county positions in 2006 are: auditor/treasurer, $54,135; recorder, $46,812; sheriff, $67,882; and commissioners, $18,227.
The primary election is Sept. 12 and the general election is Nov. 7.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Helmut Schmidt at (701) 241-5583
