Democrats force three commission primaries

Three Democrats prompted an equal number of primaries in the race for Douglas County Commission on the last day of filing for elected office today.

North Valley residents Nancy Epstein and George M. Thiel filed in Commission District 5 and will face off in the August primary. Their filing forced a primary between Republican candidates Stuart Posselt and Michael Olson. The seat is held by Commission Chairman Kelly Kite, who is prevented from running by term limits.

The last person to file was Gardnerville Ranchos resident Anje deKnijf, who is seeking the District 1 seat. Her filing forced a primary race between Greg Lynn and Dave Nelson for the seat being vacated by Commissioner Jim Baushke.

There might have been a fourth primary, but non-partisan Eric Rieman was turned away when he went to file.

Clerk-Treasurer Barbara Griffin said the law had changed to require non-partisan candidates to obtain a petition with 100 signatures on it before they could file for office.

Incumbent Doug Johnson is facing Blaine Spires in the race.

School board members Karen Chessell and Cindy Trigg face challengers for their seats in Charles Swanson and Greg Felton.

Board members Teri Jamin and Thomas H. Moore do not have challengers. Retiring teacher Randy Green is unopposed.

In the towns, only Gardnerville will have any kind of race with challengers Michael Smith and Robin Bernhard challenging Randy Slater and Paul Lindsay.

Two challengers, David Bourne and Jeremy Davidson have filed against Gardnerville Ranchos General Improvement District board members Cade Baligad and Beverly Page.

In Indian Hills, former board members Art Baer and Dianne Humble are challenging board member Laura Lau and Brian Buffo for two seats on the board.