It doesn’t cost anything to file in Minnesota for the offices of president or vice president.

It costs $400 to file for the office of U.S. senator, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State.

Congressional candidates, as well as gubernatorial, other state elected officials and judges must pay $300 to have their names placed on the ballot.

State senators and representatives must pay $100 filing fees.

Candidates for county soil and water conservation district supervisor posts must pay a $20 filing fee, according to the Secretary of State.

The 2008 filing period ends at the close of business hours Tuesday.

Among county offices, the 1st Commissioner District is the most sought after office.

Three candidates –- all newcomers who have never held elective office before — have filed for the 1st District seat on the county board.

Tim Garbrielson, Austin businessman, was first; Kathy Stutzman, activist, was next; and Dan Vermilyea, farmer and agri-businessman, was the third.

Richard P. Cummings is giving up the county board seat when his current term ends. That will end a career in public office of 32 years.

Ray Tucker, 2nd District incumbent, has filed for his fourth term in office.

Tucker has three four-year terms on the county board representing the county board’s largest district: the eastern two-thirds of Mower County.

Incumbent James Gebhardt has filed for re-election to the Mower County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors’ District No. 1.

Two other SWCD board incumbents have also filed for re-election: Richard Gehling, District No 2, and Jon Erichson, District No. 3.

State Rep. Randy Demmer is seeking another term, representing District No. 29A on the Republican side of the ballot.

Brian Thiel, a Republican newcomer, is challenging the incumbent in District 27B.

Erik Larsen, another GOP newcomer, is challenging the newcomer in District 27A.

DFL candidates for state representative seats include incumbent Jeanne Poppe, District No. 27B, and incumbent Robin Brown, District 27A.

All seats in the Minnesota House are up for re-election.

The State Senate has no election this year.

The state primary election is Sept. 9; the state general election is Nov. 4.