Fort won't run; seven file for seat

Forty-five years on the job is a long time. “I’ve enjoyed it, and I hate to leave, but it’s time,” said Humboldt County’s longtime Recorder Linda Fort. Fort was one of three county employees honored for years of service to the county at Monday’s Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meeting. Her 45 years have all been at the east end of the hallway at the Humboldt County Courthouse in Dakota City—25 years as the deputy recorder and 20 years as the county recorder. She will fill out her current term through the end of the year. According to Humboldt County Auditor Peggy Rice, there is no shortage of people willing to seek the county recorder's office. Six Republicans and one Democrat have filed to run for a four-year term as county recorder. Republicans Diane K. Amudson, Kathy M. Christianson, Katherine Erickson, Terri Bryant Stufflebean, Melissa A. Vaudt and Heather Wilson have all filed papers, along with Democrat Glenda Colwell. Two other county officeholders, County Treasurer Jana Bratland and County Attorney Jonathan Beaty, are running unchallenged on the Republican ticket. There will be Republican primary races for two of three county supervisor seats. Incumbent Harlan Hansen is being challenged by Brian Ernst and Dean Potratz for supervisor in District 1. Kevin Clabaugh is challenging incumbent Rick Pedersen for the Supervisor seat for District 3. District 2 Supervisor Carl Mattes is running unchallenged for re-election. No Democrats are running for county supervisor. The Republican and Democratic primary elections will be Tuesday, June 3. For more information on Fort and the upcoming elections, see this week's Humboldt Independent. Subscribe by clicking on the link above.