Sales tax hike for transit projects at issue in east metro

A controversial sales tax hike for metro transit projects has emerged as a major campaign issue in the Washington County Board of Commissioners election -- one of several east metro races to watch this fall.

Tuesday marked the end of the candidate filing period for local elections, in which a primary will be held in September. The general election is Nov. 4.

In Washington County, three of the five seats on the board of commissioners are up for election. And at least two candidates -- Eric Langness and Lisa Weik -- are vowing to try to repeal the tax if elected.

Langness is challenging veteran commissioner Dennis Hegberg in District 1, which includes Forest Lake, Grant, Hugo and Mahtomedi. Langness received the Republican Party endorsement over Hegberg, with party leaders citing the sales tax issue as a key factor.

The issue of a quarter-cent sales tax hike divided the Washington County Board last spring, with three commissioners supporting it and two voting against it.

In District 5, which represents most of Woodbury, three candidates will compete for the Washington County Commission seat that Dick Stafford will vacate in November.

Candidate Cheryl Hurst favors keeping the tax while Weik wants to repeal it. Hurst, 50, said the transit tax ensures Washington County residents will have representation when metro-area transit projects are determined and money becomes available.

A third District 5 candidate, Beth Roberts of Woodbury, filed Tuesday.

In District 3, incumbent Gary Kriesel will face a challenge from Thomas Kopel. Kriesel voted against the increased sales tax and Kopel says he'd want to make sure Washington County residents are getting their money's worth from the tax. District 3 includes Afton, Bayport, Oak Park Heights and Stillwater.

Other east metro elections of note include:

The three suburban seats are up for reelection.

In District 1, which includes Arden Hills, North Oaks and Shoreview, two challengers will try to unseat Commissioner Tony Bennett, 68. They are Steve Lydon, 49, of Vadnais Heights and Jim Schottmuller, 36, of North Oaks.

In District 2, which includes Little Canada, New Brighton and Roseville, board Chairwoman Jan Parker, 57, faces three challengers: Steve Goeritz, 57, of Little Canada; Richard Moses, 58, of New Brighton, and Eric Weisman, 56, of Little Canada.

Five candidates are vying for two seats on the Roseville City Council. One is the seat now held by Council Member Tammy Pust and the other is the seat held by Robert Willmus, who was appointed by the City Council when Council Member Tom Kough died earlier this year. The council has four members.

Candidates are Pust, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Jeff Johnson, businessman Tim Johnson, Karen Schaffer and David Singleton.

DFL Rep. Leon Lillie, who represents Maplewood and parts of North St. Paul, will be facing a primary challenge from Maplewood Mayor Diana Longrie and two other candidates.

The District 55A House race now has three candidates who have filed as DFLers -- Lillie, Longrie and Joseph Polencheck -- and Republican Christine Jacobson.

Adam Nyberg, the current City Council member representing the Second Ward, is not seeking reelection.

The retirement of Ramsey County District Judge John T. Finley next January has set up a rare contested judicial race in the Second District.

Seven Twin Cities-area attorneys will compete, with the top two moving on to the general election Nov. 4.

The candidates are Howard Orenstein, 52, of St. Paul, an assistant Hennepin County attorney and former five-term state representative; Paul Godfrey, 49, of St. Paul, an attorney at Votel, McEachron & Godfrey; Richard F. (Rick) Carlson Jr., 50, of White Bear Lake; Gail Chang Bohr, 64, executive director of the Children's Law Center of Minnesota; Joy Bartscher, 47, former executive director of the Neighborhood Justice Center; John P. Guzik, 51, of Maplewood, and Connie S. Iversen, 47, of Roseville.

In addition, Ramsey County District Judges Michael DeCourcy, J. Thomas Mott and Margaret (Peg) Marrinan have filed for reelection.