Carver attorney race still close; Hennepin incumbents win big

Carver County Attorney Jim Keeler's efforts to win a full term in office were being seriously threatened Tuesday night by challenger Mark Metz.

Metz, a Victoria attorney and former county prosecutor who teaches law at William Mitchell College of Law, was clinging to a narrow lead with a few precincts left to report.

Keeler, of Chanhassen, was appointed county attorney in 2007 to replace Michael Fahey, who was named to the bench. He had been an assistant Carver County attorney before working several years as a prosecutor for Hennepin County.

County residents may not have to memorize a new name when it comes to their new sheriff. Lt. Jim Olson, a longtime deputy, was leading another veteran deputy, Sgt. Derek Lee, in the race to succeed retiring Sheriff Bud Olson (no relation).

Jim Olson, of Waconia, was endorsed by the sheriff and other top administrators. Lee, of Waconia Township, received broad support from deputies.

Three Carver County commissioners handily won reelection. Board Chair Jim Ische of Norwood Young America defeated auto technician Bruce Schwichtenberg of Dahlgren Township; Gayle Degler of Chanhassen beat Chaska accountant Neil Kennedy; and Randy Maluchnik of Chaska topped real estate agent Jay Swenson of Victoria.

Four landslides in Hennepin County

In the First District, Board Chair Mike Opat of Robbinsdale won a rematch with Mary O'Connor, a former Brooklyn Center City Council member.

Commissioner Mark Stenglein of Minneapolis, a former independent who represents the Second District, defeated former Golden Valley Mayor Blair Tremere.

Third District Commissioner Gail Dorfman of St. Louis Park defeated Barry Lazarus, a retired lawyer and Minneapolis Charter Commission vice chair. Lazarus was Dorfman's first opponent since she won a special election in 1999.

In the Fourth District, Commissioner Peter McLaughlin easily won his seventh term in a lopsided victory over Blake Lewis, a community volunteer.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman and Sheriff Rich Stanek were unopposed in their reelection bids.