CHASKA — Leanne Kunze of Laketown Township on Saturday received the DFL endorsement to challenge state Rep. Paul Kohls, R-Victoria, for his District 34A seat. She was nominated at the District 34 DFL convention at Chaska Middle School East. The district includes Louisville and Jackson townships in Scott County.

Kunze said she was honored to receive the endorsement but hesitated because Kohls and his wife are family friends.

Not unexpectedly, the turnout was sparse Tuesday at Jackson Town Hall, where both Supervisor Chris Brinkhaus and Clerk Roselyn Menke were re-elected.

Brinkhaus, who received a third three-year term with 20 of 21 votes, noted that this was the first time he ever actually ran for office. He was initially elected by residents who wrote him in. Three years later, he didn’t run, but was elected by write-in anyway when no one else filed.

State Sen. Claire Robling, R-Jordan, who represents Shakopee at the state Legislature from District 35, was among three lawmakers who have endorsed Tom Emmer for governor, his campaign announced today.

Also endorsing Emmer are Rep. Rod Hamilton, R-Mountain Lake; Rep. Tara Mack, R-Apple Valley, and Sen. Pat Pariseau, R-Farmington.

Emmer's campaign says 22 legislators and Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau have now endorsed the state representative from Delano.

State Rep. Marty Seifert, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor, will be host of a meet-and-greet in Shakopee Thursday at 6 p.m. at Dangerfield's Restaurant.

Those who plan to attend are asked to RSVP (rsvp@seifertforgovernor.com) or (651) 204-9979 so there will be sufficient space to accommodate everyone. If e-mailing, put "RSVP SD 35" in the subject line.

By Shannon Fiecke, Staff Writer

It was only two years ago that Prior Lake mortgage broker Matt Christensen became a Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party delegate.

Today, the political newcomer is the endorsed DFL candidate running against four-term Republican state Rep. Michael Beard of Shakopee.

Scott County Sheriff Kevin Studnicka has officially announced his candidacy for re-election this year.

“It has truly been an honor to serve as your sheriff over the past three years, and we’ve accomplished many of our goals,” Studnicka said. “We’ve been very proud to witness our office turn into one of the most progressive and innovative in the state. But there are many more goals still yet to achieve in the future - our next step is to turn our office from to a great one to an exceptional one."

Scott County Attorney Pat Ciliberto has announced he will seek a third term in office.

In his re-election announcement, Ciliberto said Scott County has seen an unprecedented growth in crime with the rising population, and he will continue to work with law enforcement and others to meet this challenge in an effective manner.

SAVAGE - Last Saturday, Travis Burton of Jordan received the DFL endorsement for state Senate seat in District 35, now held by Sen. Claire Robling, R-Jordan.

Burton received the endorsement in a unanimous vote by delegates at the party's Senate District 35 convention at Prior Lake High School.

Burton hopes to bring reform to key issues and be an advocate for Scott County. District 35 includes the communities of Shakopee, Prior Lake, Jordan, Savage and Elko New Market.

Mark Dayton, a DFL candidate for governor, will visit Shakopee Saturday.

The Scott County “meet and greet” will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Shakopee Library, 235 Lewis St. S.

By Lori Carlson, Correspondent

Jerry Maas, Credit River Township’s only town clerk for the last eight years – and an incumbent who’d planned to run for a fifth term this spring – has withdrawn from the race.