Moody County voters won’t have a primary election for local positions but will be served by at least one new commission and a new state senator.
Republican Randy Hemmer, whose address is Dell Rapids, has filed as a candidate in District 4, which has been served by Tom Ehrichs, who has chosen not to seek reelection. In District 2, served by Independent Carla Bruning, Flandreau Mayor Mark Bonrud has filed as a candidate for the Democrat party. Bruning, because she is registered as an Independent, doesn’t have to file until later but said she intends to run again.
At the state level, Republican newcomer Casey Crabtree of Madison has filed for the District 8 senate seat held by Republican Jordan Youngberg, who withdrew his petition to run for reelection. Crabtree is the only member of the two major parties to file for election.
Four candidates are running for two seats as state house members. Republican incumbents Randy Gross of Elkton and Marli Wiese of Madison will seek reelection in the general election and will be challenged by Democrats Val Parsley and Joan Stamm, both of Madison.

At the county level, Linette Christensen has filed to keep her job as treasurer, and Paul Lewis is seeking reelection at state’s attorney. No one filed for the job of county coroner, which traditionally has had to be appointed, said Auditor Kristina Krull.
Randy and Susan Gross from Elkton have filed to be committee man and woman for the Republican party.
So far, the only election in the June 2 primary in Moody County will be the contest for the nomination for President from the Democrats, a race between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.
It’s unclear at this point if two other elections in the county will be combined with the June 2 primary. Elections are planned in Flandreau and for the Colman-Egan School Board. Ward’s election for a council position will be held June 16.
Krull said meetings have been held, including a session with the Secretary of State’s office, and each government body will have to vote for their new election date at a public meeting.
Krull is encouraging county voters to absentee vote by mail if possible when absentee ballots can be filled out starting April 17.
“Absentee voting would be the best way,” she said. It helps avoid contact with others at a time when Covid-19 exposure is a concern.
Absentee ballots can be gotten online through the state’s website or by calling the county auditor’s office at 997-3161.