Benton County’s new auditor-treasurer and sheriff readily acknowledge they will deal with some type of learning curve once they are sworn in as new, nonpartisan elected county officials.
Challenger Mary Lewandowski defeated Christine Scherbing, incumbent Benton County auditor-treasurer, 9,945 votes (63.53%) to 5,654 votes (36.12%) on Election Day, according to the unofficial general election results posted to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website Nov. 4.
Benton County sheriff candidate James “Jay” Dingmann defeated Joel Schmidt with 10,399 votes (65.34%) over 5,460 votes (34.31%).
The Benton County Herald contacted the candidates for their post-election comments.
“What made a difference with this election, in my opinion, is the work my husband, Mike, and myself did with on-the-ground campaigning,” Lewandowski said. “Working together to make requests to put signs out and doing door-to-door visits helped when meeting county voters.”
Regarding campaigning on social media, Lewandowski said it was really important the effort remained true to her character and her message stayed focused on the things that concerned her. She said the couple received comments from many voters during the Benton County Fair.
“One of the things we heard on the campaign trail was that people were really frustrated the incumbent had moved forward with an attempt to become appointed,” Lewandowski said, referring to Scherbing’s January request regarding a Benton County Board of Commissioners committee of the whole meeting to discuss the possibility and process of moving to an appointed position.
Scherbing’s board request was documented in a Jan. 17 Benton County Herald news story.
“I never once thought Christine did an awful job,” Lewandowski said. “That isn’t why I chose to run. If she and I were meeting face-to-face, I would say I believe the totality of my experience and things I’ve done over my career helped put me in a position to be able to do a better job.”
Scherbing provided post-election comments in a Nov. 4 email, stating she was honored to serve Benton County as its auditor-treasurer the past four years.
“The best part of this journey has been my staff and the team we built together,” Scherbing’s email stated. “I am proud of their hard work, the way we supported one another in difficult times and the care they bring to serving our residents. I will miss working alongside them every day. While I am disappointed in the outcome of the election, I am proud of the campaign I ran. “
Scherbing said she focused on her experience, work and commitment to the county without speaking negatively about her opponent, even when faced with hurtful comments and personal attacks.
“I chose to remain kind and respectful,’ she said.
Scherbing further said she would not change her values to achieve a different Election Day outcome and thanked everyone who supported, encouraged and voted for her.
“To my family, friends and staff, thank you for standing beside me through a difficult campaign,” she said. “Your support means more than you know. I will finish my term with the same dedication I have given this job over the past four years. I will leave with my head held high, proud of my team and the work we have done together with integrity and transparency.”
Dingmann said working as senior patrol sergeant the past 14 years in the Benton County Sheriff’s Office helped boost his campaign, along with community engagement and outreach.
“I’ve never run for any political office before,” Dingmann said. “It was an eye-opener of how much work actually has to be put into a campaign. There’s a lot of work involved in getting your name out there and providing the right messages to people and telling them about yourself.”
Schmidt said this election cycle was the first time he had been a candidate for public office as well.
“I met with the township boards and did door-knocking and talked with folks,” Schmidt said. “A lot of people said that they wanted change. They said the Benton County Sheriff’s Office was not a bad agency by any stretch of the imagination, but there was a general call for change.”
Kathleen Reuter ran unopposed for Benton County attorney this election, receiving 13,180 votes (99.17%) according to unofficial results. There were 110 write-in votes cast for county attorney.
Commissioner Ed Popp ran unopposed for District 2, representing the cities of Rice and Royalton and the Benton County townships of Alberta, Graham, Langola, Mayhew Lake and Watab.
Popp received 3,482 votes (98.42%), according to unofficial results. There were 56 District 2 write-in votes.
Commissioner Steve Heinen ran unopposed in District 3, representing the city of Sartell in Benton County and Precinct 3 and Precinct 4 in Sauk Rapids. He received 2,306 votes (99.23%), according to unofficial Minnesota Secretary of State’s results. There were 18 write-in votes.
Joseph Jordan ran unopposed for District 2 soil and water supervisor, which represents St. George and Glendorado townships in the southeastern part of Benton County. Jordan received 13,220 votes (99.26%) according to unofficial results. There were 99 write-ins.
No candidates filed for the District 3 soil and water supervisor, which represents the eastern half of Alberta Township, all of Granite Ledge Township and the entirety of Maywood Township. There were 657 write-in votes cast for the position, according to unofficial results. Scherbing said in an email the write-in results for the district supervisor position would be available Nov. 6.
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