By Savage Pacer, Staff Reports

Voters in Savage have the opportunity to head to the polls Tuesday (Sept. 9) for primary elections to cast votes in county, state and even the U.S. Senate race. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In Scott County District 2, Commissioner Bob Vogel decided not to run for re-election and three newcomers have put their hats in the ring to replace him. District 2 includes Precincts 6 and 8 in Savage plus Spring Lake, Credit River, Cedar Lake and New Market townships, as well as the city of Elko New Market.

The primary will narrow the field of candidates from three to two. The candidates are Chris Olson, of Spring Lake Township, a Prior Lake police detective; Anthony Albright, of Spring Lake Township, a pension-retirement advisor; and Tom Wolf, of Savage, a stay-at-home dad and former financial advisor who has previously sought the office.

State

Republicans have two candidates in House District 35B to choose from for their party’s slot on the fall ballot. Rep. Mark Buesgens, a charter school administrator from Jordan, is the party’s endorsed candidate and he is being challenged by Tom Rees, a former three-term state representative from New Market Township.

House District 35B covers the bulk of Savage (except Precinct 1 in downtown), the cities of Elko New Market and Jordan, plus Sand Creek, Spring Lake, Credit River and New Market townships.

Rees made a strong push two years ago to unseat Buesgens and captured 22 percent of the primary vote. There have been no signs that Rees is campaigning this election season and he has not responded to requests for campaign information from local media.

There are also judicial races, where voters are being asked to vote for one associate Supreme Court justice per district.

In the Associate Justice 3 race, Incumbent Paul Anderson is being challenged by Alan Lawrence Nelson and Tim Tingelstad. In the Associate Justice 4 race, Incumbent Lori Skjerven Gildea is being challenged by Jill Clark, F. Richard Gallo Jr. and Deborah Hedlund.

Federal

In the U.S. Senate race, Norm Coleman is being challenged by Jack Anderson for the Republican slot. DFL candidates number seven: Alve Erickson, Pricilla Lord Faris, Rob Fitzgerald, Al Franken, “Dick” Franson, Bob Larson, and Olé Savior. Plus there are seven Independent candidates: Kurt Michael Anderson, Dean Barkley, Bill Dahn, Darryl Stanton, Jack Uldrich, Doug Williams and Stephen Williams. Previous stories on the Scott County Commissioner candidates are available at www.savagepacer.com.