Clerk post draws four candidates, coroner none

Four Republicans will face each other in an August primary for a spot on the November ballot as a candidate for Trempealeau County clerk of courts, while there are officially no candidates for the post of coroner.

Sheriff Brett Semingson remains unchallenged as of the June 1 deadline for candidates to register for several local and state offices. Semingson will seek his second term as a Republican, after announcing he was changing parties in May.

The four candidates to succeed retiring clerk of courts Michelle Weisenberger are Mary Lee, Kari Tidquist, Rob Grover and Derreck Winkler. One of the four will be on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.

The county’s coroner, Bonnie Kindschy, had not filed her non-candidacy papers as of Monday. Write-in candidates have until the Friday before an election to register their intentions.

In another local race, for state District 92 assembly representative, Republican Ryan T. Owen of Osseo and incumbent, Republican Treig Pronschinske of Mondovi, will face each other in the Aug. 9 primary. Maria Bamonti of Mondovi has announced her candidacy as a Democrat for the District 92 seat.

Two Republicans, Dave Estenson of Whitehall and Amber Provance of Pepin, are also seeking to oust 31st District State Senator Jeff Smith. Smith, a Democrat, is from Eau Claire. Estenson and Provance will be on the primary ballot Aug. 9.

In the District 3 congressional race, six Democrats are seeking to get on the ballot to succeed Ron Kind. There is one Republican candidate and one Libertarian.

County voters Aug. 9 will also select a candidate for each party for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer and U.S. Senate.