May 10 primary ballot set

McCOOK, Neb. – Red Willow County Republican voters will be asked to choose a Republican candidate for Sheriff on May 10. The candidates are Dalton Downing, Bill Watts, and Kevin Darling. The winner of the Republican primary will move on to the November general election and run against Jaeden Carter, who filed as a Libertarian.

Republican voters in District 1 of Red Willow County will be asked to choose between Earl McNutt, the incumbent, and Ted Gans. Since there are no challengers of a different political party, the winner of the Republican primary will be the only name on the ballot in the general election in November.

Republican voters in District 3 of Red Willow County will be asked to choose between incumbent Cayla Richards and Charles Fritsche. Again, the winner of the Republican primary will be the only name on the ballot in November.

Other county offices are going unchallenged, so will not appear on the primary ballot and there will only be one name to choose from in the general election in November. Those offices are: Red Willow County Clerk – Penny Cooper; Clerk of the District Court – Lori O’Dea; Assessor – Kristi Korell; Treasurer – Crystal Dack; Attorney – Paul Wood; and Surveyor – Doug Terry.

All unchallenged office-seekers are incumbents except Penny Cooper and Doug Terry.

There are new names running for McCook City Council and McCook School Board of Education, however, those positions will be decided in November.

For the three seats open on McCook City Council, incumbents Mike Gonzales, Gene Weedin, and Jared Muelenkamp are all running again. In addition, two others have filed: Linda Taylor and Steve Batty.

For the three seats open on McCook School Board of Education, Mike Langan is the lone incumbent to file. New candidates running for election include Scott Barger, Ronda Graff, and Charlie McPherson.

For Nebraska Legislative District 38, incumbent Dave Murman of Glenvil, Neb. is being challenged by Tyler Cappel of Arapahoe, Neb. After redistricting last year, Red Willow, Furnas, and Frontier Counties are now in District 38.

Chase, Hayes, Dundy and Hitchcock counties are now in District 44, where Edward Dunn of Grant, Neb. is running against Teresa Ibach of Sumner, Neb. Incumbent Dan Hughes is not eligible to run again due to term limits.

Other incumbents who chose not to seek re-election include Tami Teel, Red Willow County Clerk; Alan Kotschwar, Red Willow County Sheriff; and Loretta Hauxwell and Dennis Berry for McCook School Board of Education.

The primary election is May 10, 2022.