Olson, Zecher to next ballot for county seat

WINONA, Minn. – Environmentalist Greg Olson won the primary election with 757 votes, 57% in a three-way race. Second was Craig Zecher with 286 voters. Only two candidates can proceed under Minnesota law for the November general election ballot. With 233 votes, political newcomer Jordon Potter of Stockton was eliminated. The seat, representing District 4, which includes the central county, has bene held by Olson for 12 years. Olson was pivotal in the county’s controversial 2016 decision to outlaw frac-sand mining. The decision has since been uoheld by the state Supreme Court and become a model for elsewhere for county self-determination primacy over the extraction industry.  Zecher is a former City Council member. Potter is a heavy-equipment operator in a family business.

Earlier: ALMANAC: 2020 Winona primary election returns