Polls in both Minnesota and northwest Iowa closed at 8 p.m. tonight and ballot counting is now underway.
In the state of Minnesota, high-profile races include governor, attorney general, secretary of state and state auditor. In southwest Minnesota, voters are also making choices for offices that include Minnesota House representatives in District 21A and District 21B and the District 1 U.S. House of Representatives seat. The region's state senator, Bill Weber, is running unopposed.
As of shortly before 8:30 p.m., a mere half of 1 percent of votes had been reported as counted. Incumbent Minnesota DFL Gov. Tim Walz is up against Republican challenger Scott Jensen. DFLer Keith Ellison and GOP candidate Jim Schultz are vying for the office of attorney general. The current secretary of state, Democrat Steve Simon, is up against Republican Kim Crockett. State Auditor Juile Blaha of the DFL is being challenged Republican Ryan Wilson.
In District 21B, it was Republican Marj Folgelman against Democrat Michael Heidelberger. In District 21A, incumbent GOP Rep. Joe Schomacker was facing DFLer Pat Baustian.
In Iowa, voters were choosing their preferred candidates in many of the same statewide races. Also up for election were one of the state's two seats in the U.S. Senate and the state's District 4 seat in the U.S. House. State Sen. Dave Rowley is running unopposed.
Among the races being watched locally is a three-way contest for Worthington mayor between Chad Cummings, Rod Sankey and Rick von Holdt. There's also a three-person race for a Ward 2 Worthington City Council seat between Alaina Kolpin, Nathalie Tshioko Nkashama and America Voss and a two-person matchup for a Ward 1 council seat that includes Cristina Adame and Larry Janssen.
Four candidates -- incumbents Adam Blume and Lori Dudley, along with "Butch" Fletcher and Erin Schutte -- are running for three spots on the Worthington ISD 518 Board of Education.
Each of the candidates for Nobles County offices are running unopposed.
Additionally, multiple other races are ongoing in the communities that are part of our region. We'll post updates throughout the evening -- be sure to check back here and listen to regular election updates on our Radio Works stations.
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