Race for retiring County Board Chair's seat now a six-way contest

Anyone hoping for a sedate McLeod County Board election this autumn might be disappointed.

The field of candidates for retiring Commissioner Grant Knutson’s seat now includes Nan Crary, the former county administrator who was ousted March 25 on a 3-2 vote.

Knutson’s motion to terminate Crary’s employment stated, “McLeod County needs a county administrator that does not get involved in policy issues.”

Other newcomers to the race for Knutson’s seat include LeRoy Schmandt and Paul Wright of Lynn Township. Also in the running for the District 3 slot are:
• Douglas D. Kenning, Lynn Township,
• Oather “Marty” Martin, Collins Township, and
• Becky Felling of Hutchinson.

Incumbent District 1 Commissioner Ray Bayerl is running unopposed for re-election, but District 5 Commissioner Beverly Wangerin faces Milan Plath of Acoma Township.

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)