Write-in candidate enters clerk race

One of the candidates bumped after a primary race for Trempealeau County clerk of courts has announced her candidacy as a write-in, making the clerk’s race the only Nov. 8 contest for any county post.

Winner of the clerk of courts Republican primary in August was Kari Tidquist, senior deputy clerk of courts for Trempealeau County. Her’s will be the only name on the ballot.

 One of primary contenders, Mary Lee, the deputy clerk of courts in Eau Claire County, registered last week as a write-in candidate. She said she was encouraged by many county residents to run for the office. Supporters will write her name on the ballot for their vote to count.

No one has challenged incumbent Sheriff Brett Semingson. He is seeking his second term as a Republican after announcing he was changing parties in May.

The only other county position on the ballot, for coroner, a position new held by Bonnie Kindschy, has no candidates and may not be a role much longer. The county’s executive finance committee is scheduled to discuss eliminating the office of coroner and installing a medical examiner. While neither a coroner or medical examiner needs to be a pathologist or other medical expert, the medical examiner can be appointed by the board of supervisors.