However, many local officeholders whose terms are expiring this year are still weighing their options or are waiting to announce their decisions.

Interested candidates have been able to circulate petitions to get on the ballot since Jan. 1. City candidates need 300 signatures.

The filing deadline is Monday, April 6, at 4 p.m. to get on the local city, school and primary ballots. The election is June 9.

Minot Mayor Mark Jantzer, who was elected last August to fill a vacancy, said he plans to make a formal announcement in the near future regarding whether he will run.

Perry Olson

Minot City Council member Rob Fuller, whose term expires in 2028 and who ran for mayor last August, said he hasn’t made any decision about running for another office this year. Josiah Roise, who also ran for mayor previously and indicated some interest in doing so again, has not stated whether he still plans to pursue another race.

Minot City Council members Paul Pitner, Lisa Olson and Mike Hayes, whose terms are expiring, have not made announcements. Olson said she plans to make a decision in the coming days, and Hayes also stated he anticipates a decision by Feb. 1.

Hayes was appointed in September to fill Jantzer’s vacated council seat. The term for the seat expires in June.

Voters also will be asked to choose a municipal judge in June. Ashley Beall currently serves as judge.

In addition to Kraft, the four-year term of school board member Sabrina Herrmann expires this year. Herrmann said she expects to make a decision whether to seek reelection closer to April.

Justin Hammer

Other races that will be decided in November’s general election include the Ward County commission, state’s attorney and sheriff. State’s Attorney Roza Larson has announced she will be retiring. Commissioners whose four-year terms are expiring are John Fjeldahl and Jason Olson.

According to the Ward County Auditor’s Office, signatures needed to run are 288 for commissioner, 272 for state’s attorney and 290 for sheriff. The filing deadline is April 6 because these races also are voted on during the primary, reducing the number of candidates, if necessary, who move on to the general election.

Odd-numbered legislative districts will be on the primary and general election ballots.

Reps. Lori VanWinkle and Jeff Hoverson and Sen. Bob Paulson represent District 3. Tim Mihalick and Blaine DesLauriers from Minot have announced their interest in the House seats.

Reps. Scott Louser and Jay Fisher and Sen. Randy Burckhard represent District 5. All three say they haven’t made decisions yet on seeking reelection.

Mike Schmitt

Neither Republicans nor Democrats in either district have announced dates for local district endorsing conventions.

Mitch Kraft