We had no idea how readers of hutchinsonleader.com would respond when we asked them last week to complete our 14-question election poll. So we were pleasantly surprised when we received the largest number of poll answers in years. More than twice the average number of weekly poll takers responded.

Our goal was to get voters — and specifically our online readers — to think and talk more about the issues and candidates. We hoped the poll stirred them to long dinner-table discussions of issues of public importance.

The complete poll results are available in the Oct. 9 Leader. Here, in a nutshell, is how their responses compared to previous elections:

Federal offices
U.S. president and vice president: In McLeod County, it’s McCain and Palin, you betcha. No surprise here. This is Republican Country. The GOP team pulled in 55 percent of the vote, not much different than in 2004 when President Bush and Vice President Cheney garnered 62 percent of votes.

U.S. senator: Again, it’s Republican Norm Coleman, who grabbed 60 percent of the vote in 2002 when he ran against Walter Mondale. This year, our online voters aren’t quite as enthusiastic about him, possibly because Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley is a strong third-place contender.

U.S. representative: DFL Congressman Collin Peterson breaks the mold in the minds of many Republican online voters. Perhaps it’s because he is both pro-life and anti-gun control, unlike more than 90 percent of other Democratic congressional members. Our online readers favored him slightly over opponent Glen Menze. In 2006, Rep. Peterson finished with 55 percent of the vote over Republican Mike Barrett.

State issues
State representative: Rep. Ron Shimanski appears to be tracking on par to retain his seat against challenger former Lester Prairie Mayor Eric Angvall. In 2006, Rep. Shimanski received 57 percent of the vote, and in 2004, his predecessor, Scott Newman, won 57 percent as well.

Constitutional amendment: Folks who vote “yes” want Minnesota’s sales tax increased by three-eighths of one cent to support the environment and arts. With 57 percent of our online readers voting “yes,” we know that the Leader’s Web site is being read by many outdoors enthusiasts. In 2006, a slim majority of McLeod County voters — 51.5 percent — voted in favor of another constitutional amendment dedicating 40 percent of the state’s motor vehicle sales tax to transit and 60 percent to roads.

County offices
McLeod County commissioner, District 3: According to online voters, Paul Wright is leading Becky Felling and write-in candidate Marty Martin in a race to fill the seat now occupied by Grant Knutson. Mr. Knutson ran unopposed in 2004 and captured 60 percent of the vote when he ran against Roger Draeger in 2000.

McLeod County commissioner, District 5: Bev Wangerin aims to hold onto the seat she’s occupied for several terms and according to our online voters is well ahead of challenger Milan Plath. In 2004, Ms. Wangerin narrowly defeated another challenger, Jerry Notch, with 51 percent of the votes.

City of Hutchinson
Mayor: With no challengers, two-term Mayor Steve Cook appears to be on his way to a third term.

Hutchinson City Council member, seats 3 and 4: In 2004, Kay Peterson ran unopposed while Casey Stotts captured 66 percent off the vote over Tim Jeske’s 34 percent in their bids for a seat formerly occupied by Duane Hoversten. Last week, our online readers favored Mary Christensen over Eric Yost for Ms. Peterson’s seat, and Chad Czmowski over Raymond Norton for Mr. Stotts’ seat.

Mosquito control: Hutchinson residents hate mosquitoes with a vengeance. By a more than two-to-one margin, our online voters favor raising taxes by an average $7 a household to fight the bugs.

School District 423
School Board members: Keith Kamrath is in the lead with our online voters, similar to how he captured the most votes in 2004. Incumbent School Board member Julie Ashbaugh and newcomer Josh Gehlen are not far behind. Yet, similar to the City Council and County Board races, no one seems out of the race yet.

School building improvement question 1: The vote to make improvements to Hutchinson High School is closer than we’ve seen in three attempts. In 2002, 45 percent of voters said “yes” to a new high school. In 2006, a more modest 35 percent said “yes.” This year, our online voters are offering as many yeses as noes.

School building improvement question 2: Similar to the 2006 vote, the second vote, to approve repairs and renovations to the school district’s elementary school buildings, won fewer votes from our online readers.

It’s not over yet
With 27 days until Election Day, candidates and their supporters have a good amount of time left to either fortify their lead, or catch up from behind. Candidates leading in our unscientific poll have no reason to feel complacent about their current position, nor do those lagging behind need to feel that they don’t have the ability to turn their situation around. McLeod County residents know that it takes extra work to be elected the first time.
The Leader’s editorial writers have always been strong supporters of vigorous campaigns. We encourage candidates to meet as many people as possible before Nov. 4. A little shoe leather goes a long way.

Editorials are written by Publisher Matt McMillan and Editor Doug Hanneman. They can be reached at mcmillan@hutchinsonleader.com [2], or hanneman@hutchinsonleader.com [3].