WALTNER WINS RACE FOR SHERIFF WITH 84% OF THE VOTE

Maurice Waltner overwhelmingly won the race for Hutchinson County Sheriff with 84% of the vote, defeating Barron Nankivel 1,286 to 243 in the June 7 primary. Without a general election challenger, Waltner will take over for retiring Jim Zeeb on Jan. 1, 2023.

Tuesday’s primary election also saw a victory by Jessica Bahmuller and Drew Peterson in the five-way race for two District 19 seats in the South Dakota House. Bahmuller was the leading candidate, earning 2,229 votes (30%) while Peterson came out ahead in a tight battle for second with 1,660 votes (22%).

Caleb Finck was third (1,512 votes) and Michael Boyle was fourth (1,465), each winning 20% of the vote.

Roger Hofer won 513 votes for 7% of the 7,379 ballots cast.