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Ruso reign continues

RUSO – He did it again and once again in shutout fashion. The man believed to be the state’s oldest mayor, Bruce Lorenz, unanimously swept to victory in Tuesday’s mayoral race.

Lorenz, the incumbent, captured all three votes in a stirring 3-0 triumph in North Dakota’s smallest incorporated city. The former rural mail carrier, now a veteran politician, estimates he’s been mayor of Ruso for 30 years or more.

Voter turnout was extremely heavy, unmatched anywhere in the state. A stunning 100 percent of Ruso’s residents submitted ballots. With one of one precincts reporting, the 86-year-old Lorenz was easily re-elected.

“I forgot about it,” said Lorenz Wednesday morning. “We were driving around and my daughter said it was election day. I’ll still do it. I’ll have to go down the street and see if I can find a cigar.”

Recent health issues have caused Lorenz to move into an assisted living facility in Minot which may limit his duties as mayor. He will turn 87 in August.

“My health went to pot this spring,” said Lorenz. “I can’t even walk anymore without a walker. Life gives us some strange roads. We’ll see what takes place.”

When asked what he’d like to accomplish as mayor Lorenz brought up a familiar topic – rural water.

“We need rural water but it’s too expensive for just a couple of people,” remarked Lorenz. “Ruso is pretty small alright.”

In the only other contest on Tuesday’s ballot Terry Roloson was re-elected to City Council. Like Lorenz, he garnered all three votes cast.

Ruso is located near Strawberry Lake in McLean County.

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