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Primary election news: McLaren to run for re-election as Cass County Sheriff; Pott. Co. Auditor to run on BOS

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March 8th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Three Republican candidates for office in Cass County filed their nomination papers Monday, serving as their notice of intent to run in the June Primary. Cass County Sheriff Darby McLaren, and Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman have chosen to run for re-election, and, as we told you last week, Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones has officially announced he intends to run for the Cass County Board of Supervisors seat in District 1, offering a challenge to Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green, who seeks the same seat. The deadline for filing nomination papers is 5-p.m., March 30th.

The Daily NonPareil reports, in Pottawattamie County, Auditor Marilyn Jo Drake says she will not seek a ninth term as auditor, but will instead will run for a seat on the county’s Board of Supervisors. Drake, a Republican who has worked in the county auditor’s office since 1977 and was elected auditor in 1985, filed her nomination papers on Monday. She believes her experience would be beneficial on the board. And Melvyn Houser, a county supervisor for 16 years, said he will seek the county auditor’s post in an effort to succeed Drake.

Also on Monday, the first day nomination papers could be filed for this year’s county races, Council Bluffs resident, 27-year old Bart Randolph joined Drake in filing his papers for a board seat. A first-time political office seeker, Randolph is a Democrat and small business owner. He opened a new courier and same-day delivery service roughly two months ago, also served six years in the U.S. Air Force.

Two of the five supervisor seats are up for election this year. They are currently held by Republicans Lynn Grobe, who is seeking re-election, according to his wife, Carolyn, and Houser. Also on the ballot this November in Pott. County, are the positions of county auditor and county sheriff. Jeff Danker, first voted in as county sheriff in November 1992, said he will run again, which would be his seventh term if re-elected.

Those interested in running for office must obtain at least 100 signatures from eligible county voters, which would be checked by the auditor’s office. Those elected must be county residents when their term begins, in this case, next Jan. 1st.