WINONA, Minn. – Farm-supply dealer Joshua Elsinger of St. Charles won the battle of the yard signs with a bold and hard-to-miss red, black and white message everywhere – and he won the election. Kinda, sorta. Elsinger pulled 456 votes in a three-way run-off for two spots on the August ballot to represent northern and western townships on the Winona County Board. But the other two candidates, Pat Heim and Bill Spitzer, finished even with 184 votes each. This means the special election, on Tuesday, has yet to be a completely done-deal. The county election supervisor, Chesli Wilbright, said a canvassing board will meet next week to tabulate the votes officially If the initial 184-184 numbers hold for Heim and Spitzer, there’ll be coin toss. Meanwhile, Elsing’s red, black and white campaign signs remain planted firmly in yards all around District 3. For sure, he will be on the August ballot.
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Results
> Elsing, 456 votes.
> Heim, 184.
> Spitzer, 184.
Images: Steve Lunde.
Turnout
All three candidates expressed disappointment at the turnout. Of 9,900 citizens in District 3, only 824 voted. The district includes Altura, Elba, Minnesota City, Rollingstone, St. Charles and Stockton.