John Riskey, mayor of Minto, N.D., and president of one of the labor unions that represents locked-out workers on American Crystal Sugar Co., lost a re-election bid as mayor Tuesday, according to complete but unofficial election results.
He was soundly defeated, gaining only 35 percent of the vote or 66 votes. Lane Kelley, a Minto City Council member, captured 63 percent of the vote, or 120 votes, and will become the town's new mayor.
Elsewhere, voters in a handful of northeastern North Dakota counties were deciding local ballot issues and electing local officials.
• Mayville residents approved an additional five mills to benefit the Mayville Library by a vote of 58.2 percent or 278 votes. The current levy is 10.2 mills.
• In Nelson County, Bruce Ellertson, with 41.2 percent of the vote or 426 votes, and Marvin Narum with 30.2 percent or 312 votes, advanced to the November election, at which time they will compete for a four-year term. Losing candidates were Dale Varnson (22.6 percent, 233 votes) and Victor Schwan (6.0 percent, 62 votes). Incumbent Second District County Commissioner Ronald Dahlen did not seek another four-year term.
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• In Grand Forks County, incumbents John Schmisek (37.9 percent, 4,778 votes), Cynthia Pic (34.3 percent, 4,330 votes), and challenger Cory Solem (27.5 percent, 3,476 votes) advanced to November, at which time they will compete for two four-year terms.
• In St. Thomas, Gale Watts (57.3 percent, 51 votes) defeated Lance Christinson (18 percent, 16 votes) to fill an unexpired four-year term as mayor.
• In Griggs County, residents were voting on a $3.1 million bond issue to renovate and expand the historic county courthouse, the state's oldest courthouse still used a courthouse. The measure requires a 60 percent majority to pass. Results were not available at press time.
