Let the races begin.

The filing period for public office ended Tuesday, setting the stage for the primary election on Aug. 9 and the general election Nov. 8.

Many major local seats will be contested. Austin’s Steve Williams filed to challenge Jim Hagedorn for the Republican ticket to run against Democratic 1st District U.S. Rep. Tim Walz.

Republicans Gene Dornink and Cynthia Gail filed to challenge District 27 state Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin. Republican Dennis Schminke is challenging District 27B Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, while Democrat Gary Schindler is challenging District 27A Rep. Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea.

The city of Austin will see two contested City Council seats with Laura Helle challenging Michael Jordal in the 1st Ward, and Paul Fischer challenging Jeremy Carolan in the 3rd Ward. Mayor Tom Stiehm and 2nd Ward Council member Steve King are running unopposed.

Both Mower County board seats will be contested with Ray Tucker challenging Peggy Bennett in District 2, while Dan Vermilyea and James Williams will challenge Tim Gabrielson in District 1.

Austin Public schools will also have the seats of Don Leathers, Mary Jane Kestner and Dick Lees up for reelection. After the school board previously opted out of the primary, all candidates will be up on the November ballot. School board candidates will file Aug. 2 to 16.

Look to the Herald in the coming days for more candidate profiles.

Election rundown

State and federal offices

U.S. Representative District 1

•Tim Walz, DFL

•Jim Hagedorn, Republican

•Steve Williams, Republican

State Senator District 27

•Dan Sparks, DFL

•Gene Dornink, Republican

•Cynthia Gail, Republican

State Representative District 27B

•Jeanne Poppe, DFL

•Dennis Schminke, Republican

State Representative District 27A

•Peggy Bennett, Republican

•Gary Schindler, DFL

City of Austin

Mayor

•Tom Stiehm

Council Ward 1

•Michael Jordal

•Laura Helle

Council Ward 2

•Steve King

Council Ward 3

•Jeremy Carolan

•Paul Fischer

Utility Board Commissioner (elect three)

•Tom Baudler

•Tom Sherman

• Tyler Hulsebus

Mower County Board of Commissioners

Commissioner District 1

•Tim Gabrielson

•Dan Vermilyea

•James Williams

Commissioners District 2

•Polly Glynn

•Ray Tucker

Mower County Soil and Water

Supervisor District 1

•James Gebhardt

•Peter Mattson

Supervisor District 2

•No candidates

Supervisor District 5

•Jon Erichson

Rural offices

Sargeant

Mayor

•Jim Jensen

Council Member

•Arletta Bungum

•James Wagoner

The following rural seats had no candidates file

•Adams mayor and two council seats

•Bennington Township Supervisor Seats B and C

•Brownsdale mayor and two council seats

•Dexter mayor and two council seats

•Elkton mayor and two council sears

•Frankford Township Supervisor Seats A and B

•Grand Meadow mayor and two council seats

•LeRoy mayor and two council seats

•Lyle mayor and two council seats

•Mapleview mayor and two council seats

•Racine mayor and two council seats

•Sargeant Township Supervisor Seat C and town clerk

•Taopi mayor, council member and city clerk

•Waltham mayor and two council seats

—Source: Minnesota Secretary of State’s office, www.candidates.sos.state.mn.us