Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
State's Attorney and Sheriff announce re-election bids
Two seats on the New Rockford City Commission and three seats on the City Park Board will be up for grabs during this summer’s elections.
Becki Schumacher, New Rockford City Auditor, informed the Transcript on Tuesday that the four-year terms of City Commissioners Ryan Hager and Jim Belquist expire this year. On the City Park Board, meanwhile, the four-year terms of Jackie Engels, Elliot Belquist and Reed Weisenburger are also due to expire.
Citizens interested in running for any one of these positions must submit their petitions to Schumacher by Monday, April 11 at 4 p.m., in order to have their names on the ballot. The elections themselves will be held on Tuesday, June 14.
As of Tuesday, Schumacher had not received any official petitions, but the Transcript has confirmed that at least one park board member, Elliot Belquist, plans to run for reelection. Whether anyone else plans to fight for their respective positions remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, the Transcript has learned more about who will be competing for two of the seven available positions in Eddy County this summer. Eddy County Sheriff Paul Lies has confirmed his intention to run for reelection, and has begun the process of acquiring signatures.
“For over 33 years I have dedicated my life to helping others through difficult times,” wrote Paul Lies in an email response to the Transcript. “Every member of the community faces life challenges and our staff is dedicated to help and protect those people during these challenging times. It would be an honor to continue to serve as Sheriff of Eddy County.”
State’s Attorney Ashley L. Lies informed the Transcript of her intention to run for reelection on Tuesday, and added that she’s also gathering the signatures required for her petition.
“I have enjoyed every minute of being State’s Attorney these past three years, even with the challenges Covid brought to the court system,” said Lies. “I am excited to run again and hope I will be able to serve Eddy County for another four years, and hopefully many more after that. It’s not often you find a job you love, but I can honestly say being the State’s Attorney is a job I love; it challenges me, presents new issues daily, and allows me to serve the people of our county. I look forward to continuing to improve upon the work we have already started.”
City and park board elections will be included on the same ballot as Eddy County’s elections, and the process for acquiring an absentee ballot application is also the same. Anyone who voted in the previous election will be mailed an application, or can fill one out at vote.nd.gov. A copy of the application will also be printed in the New Rockford Transcript for anyone to cut out and submit.
There will also be an in-person polling place located at the Brown Memorial Auditorium on June 14 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. As the petition deadline approaches, the Transcript will continue to provide updates as clarity emerges around who the competitors will be for this summer’s elections.
