Competition appears for county offices

On the opening day of filing for the 2010 elections, Jan. 14, eight Valley County officials declared their intent to run for re-election. Within the past week, three of these incumbents have picked up some competition.
Glasgow Police Officer Joe Horn is running for sheriff/coroner, contesting Sheriff Glen Meier in his quest for a third four-year term.

Victor Puchalla, the St. Marie resident who is co-owner of Soma-Dis Deli, is challenging the three-term incumbent, Judge Linda Hartsock, for the position of justice of the peace.

Scott E. Cassel, a rancher in the Tampico area, aspires to be the Valley County commissioner for District 2, where Commissioner Dave Reinhardt is seeking his third six-year term.

The other county officials running in this election are Clerk of District Court Shelly Bryan, County Attorney Nick Murnion, Treasurer Jenny Reinhardt, Clerk and Recorder Lynne Nyquist and Public Administrator Dan Taylor.
Filing season runs through March 14. Valley County voted in 2006 to make county elections non-partisan. The primary is June 7 and the general election is Nov. 2.