Pierce narrowly defeats Hanefeldt in primary election

CENTER – The difference of one vote kept Knox County from having to schedule an automatic recount in one of its Republican races for county supervisor.

According to official results from the county clerk’s office for the May 10 primary election, David Pierce of Verdigre edged out Jerry Hanefeldt of Center by a count of 152 to 148 votes in the District 3 supervisor race.

Kenneth Sukup of Verdigre ended up in third place with 88 votes, while Jeff Uhlir of Verdigre finished in the fourth spot with 37 votes.

Knox County Clerk Joann Fischer noted if the difference between Pierce and Hanefeldt had been three votes instead of four, that would have triggered an automatic recount.

The county canvassed the primary election results on May 11. After that process was completed, the results were made official.

“There were no changes to the results after canvassing,” Fischer said.

Incumbent District 3 county supervisor Virgil Miller of Verdigre decided not to run for re-election, prompting the four candidates to run for the position.

The Republican contest for the District 5 county supervisor seat was nowhere near as contested as District 3’s.

Incumbent Kevin Mackeprang of Bloomfield ran away with the race with 285 votes, while William Hanefeldt of Bloomfield ended up with 77 votes.

Barring any competition from write-in candidates, Pierce will be elected and Mackeprang will be re-elected to their respective positions in the Nov. 8 general election.

There were no other races for Knox County positions on the primary election ballots.

Incumbent members of village boards of trustees and township boards have until July 15 to file for the general election. Non-incumbents have until Aug. 1 to file.