The 2002 general election is months away and the filing period for the election is weeks away.

The Minnesota primary election is September 10. The general election takes place November 5.

Among local hopefuls, Terry Kelley, Austin, is anxiously awaiting the primary election.

Kelley lost out in a bid for the Senate District 27 DFL Party endorsement. Despite his backing by former State Senator Pat Piper, Kelley lost to Dan Sparks, an Austin businessman.

Sparks has begun his campaign to unseat incumbent State Sen. Grace Schwab (R-Albert Lea).

Kelley has maintained he will conduct a state primary election battle against Sparks for a place on the DFL ticket in November.

For all candidates, their hopes rest on filing for public office.

The filing period for the State General Election begins 8 a.m. Friday, July 2, and ends 5 p.m. Friday, July 16.

Candidates for

the following offices must file with the Secretary of State in St. Paul:

U.S. Senate, U.S. Congressman, State Senate District 27, State Rep. 27A and 27B and Minnesota Governor, Lt. Governor, Auditor, Attorney and Secretary of State.

Also needing to file with the Secretary of State are judicial offices, including Minnesota Supreme Court, State Court

of Appeals and Third Judicial District.

Among the Third Judicial district judgeships are two in Mower County.

District Judges Donald E. Rysavy and Fred W. Wellman are seeking reelection to the bench.

Candidates for county offices must file their intentions with the Mower County Auditor, during the July 2-16 filing period.

They include Mower County Commissioners in Districts 3, 4 and 5; county auditor, attorney, recorder, sheriff and treasurer and Soil and Water Conservation District supervisors, Districts 3 and 4.

Also needed are election judges.

Anyone eligible to vote, who can read, write and speak English is eligible to be an election judge. However, election judges cannot be candidates for elective office or related to a

candidate for elective office.

Election judges are the people responsible for administering

election procedures in the voting place on election day.

For more information about t filing for elective office or being an election nudges, call the Mower County Auditor at 437-9535.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at

:mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com