GRAND RAPIDS — Voters in southwestern Itasca County will select their top candidate for County Commissioner District 4 in a special primary election Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Five candidates — Robert Preble, Dick Sackett, Daniel E. Chase, Pat Medure and Larry Hopkins — are running for the seat, which represents Grand Rapids Precinct 4 (roughly south of the Mississippi River and west of U.S. Highway 169); Harris, Blackberry, Splithand, Wildwood and Spang townships; and Sugar Lake Precinct.
The most recent District 4 Commissioner, Burl Ives, was up for reelection last November but died in September, too close to Election Day for his name to be removed from the ballot.
The campaign for Ives continued after his death, with supporters saying a special election triggered by his posthumous victory would give residents a broader field of candidates. Ives won over 70% of the vote, defeating challenger Brian Oftelie and the handful of write-ins — one of which was Sackett — that emerged after Ives' death.
The top two candidates with the most votes on Tuesday will advance to the special election on April 8.
Where and when can I vote?
Early in-person voting at the Itasca County Courthouse is open until 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10.
Mail and absentee ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. Tuesday. Voters can track their ballots.
Voters can vote in-person on Election Day at their usual polling location. Not sure where that is? Use the Secretary of State's Polling Place Finder.
| Precincts | Polling Location |
| Blackberry Township | Blackberry Community Center |
| Grand Rapids P-4 | Zion Lutheran Church |
| Harris Township | Harris Town Hall |
| Spang Township | Itasca County Courthouse, Rm #J135 |
| Splithand Township | Itasca County Courthouse, Rm #J135 |
| Sugar Lake Precinct | Itasca County Courthouse, Rm #J135 |
| Wildwood Township | Itasca County Courthouse, Rm #J135 |
Where can I find more information about the candidates?
KAXE created a Special Election Guide with responses from all five candidates.
Candidates shared their age, city/township of residence, employer and prior experience. They also shared why they were running for office and their priorities and answered questions about short-term rentals, housing, climate change, taxation, and trust and transparency.
What's on my ballot?
Am I registered to vote? How can I register?
Voters can confirm their registration here.
Not registered? You can register at your polling place on Election Day.
You will need some form of proof of residence, such as a valid driver's license or Tribal ID, a photo ID and document with your name and address or another registered voter who can confirm your address. Find more information here.
