Four face off in commission primary, two will advance

Four people are running for one seat on the Jefferson County Commission, but only two of those four will advance from Tuesday’s primary election and head to November’s general election.

The candidates are running in a nonpartisan race for the seat currently held by Leonard Wortman, who is not seeking reelection. Wortman served on the commission from 1993–99, and was appointed back to the body in January 2010 and has been reelected since. County commissioners serve six-year terms.

Although this commission seat represents southern Jefferson County, including the communities of Cardwell, Whitehall and Pipestone, and the candidates must live in the south end, every voter in Jefferson County can vote in the race. All four candidates—Mary Janacaro Hensleigh, Dan Hagerty, Jim Buterbaugh and Jon Goff—will appear on the June 7 primary ballot. Voters can select one candidate. The top-two vote getters will advance to the general election for a final race for the commission seat.