Bradley decides to seek a second term as Randolph’s mayor

HARTINGTON - Randolph’s mayor wants another term in office.

George Bradley filed for re-election last week, joining others who made their intentions known as the incumbent deadline looms.

School Board member Paul Schmit also filed for re-election while fellow board member Sandy Owens filed last month.

The clock is ticking for everyone else currently holding office to make their final decision about whether to file for election.

Incumbents have until 5 p.m. Tuesday to file for office. Those considered incumbents include anyone holding an office currently regardless of what office they are seeking, said County Clerk Dave Dowling.

For example, a school board member filing for a spot on a village board is still considered an incumbent filing for office even though they have not served on the village board previously. The fact that they are a school board member makes them an incumbent, he said.

Those up for re-election this year but not yet filing include:

- Randolph City Council members Brandon Backhaus and Dennis Bazata - Randolph School Board Member Loren Haselhorst - Cedar County Assessor Jeff Curry

Becky Dresden of Hartington has filed for the assessor position.

So far, the only contested race is for the District 1 County Commissioner where Commissioner Chris Tramp faces challenger Dick Donner of Hartington. District 1 is in the northern section of the county.

Those that are new to seeking public office have a little more time - until March 1 - to file for election.

Filing fees must be paid to the city or village clerk. That receipt is then turned into the county clerk’s office.

The filing fee equals 1 percent of the annual salary of the position the individual is seeking. Many school board and council seats are not paid so there’s no filing fee associated, Dowling said.

Some village board contests will only be seen on the general election ballot this fall - Fordyce, Belden, St. Helena, Coleridge, Magnet and Wynot. The incumbent filing deadline for any of those village board spots is July 15 and any new candidates, Aug. 1.