Former Pembina County State's Attorney Stuart Askew, who resigned his office in February, just before he was to face a hearing prompted by a request to remove him from office, is running for county commission.
He is one of four candidates who will challenge incumbent District Four Commissioner Corene Vaughn, who was a leader in seeking his ouster.
Other candidates are former Cavalier, N.D., mayor Ron Storie; Laverne "Manny" Doyle; and Bob Kippen, all from Cavalier.
The top two vote-getters in the June 12 primary election will advance to the general election in November.
Two UND law students have filed petitions to become the next county state's attorney. They are Adam Atherton and Stephanie Davis, both of Grand Forks.
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Since Askew left office, the county's state's attorney duties have been handled by Walsh County State's Attorney Barb Whelan.
Atherton and Davis have interned for Whelan, and Atherton currently is working 24 hours per week in the Pembina County state's attorney's office, according to County Auditor Linda Schlittenhard. Both are scheduled to take their bar exams in July.
Unless a successful write-in campaign is launched, Atherton and Davis likely will advance to the November election.
In the only other contested Pembina County race, incumbent District 2 Commissioner Gary Nilsson, Walhalla, N.D., is being challenged by Chuck Thacker, Neche, N.D., and Dennis Dame, Walhalla.
