One of the region’s highest ranking House Republicans is facing a primary challenge. And with just a couple of exceptions, it will be a two-party ballot Nov. 4 for area legislative and congressional races.

Those were among the few surprises coming out of the candidate filing period that closed at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Alexander Louis Erickson II of Belle Plaine filed as a Republican against state Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague, in District 25A, which includes all of Le Sueur County, the two Scott County cities and southeastern Sibley County.

Erickson, who owns a construction company, is making his first run for public office. He said his campaign is just getting under way, and he will release more information about his policy positions and reasons for running in coming weeks.

Brod is a three-term incumbent and an assistant minority leader of the House. Tim Siebsen, DFL-Montgomery, will face the winner after voters choose between Brod and Erickson in the Sept. 9 primary election.

The primary election also will decide whether Dr. Brian Davis of Rochester, the GOP endorsed candidate, or state Sen. Dick Day of Owatonna will be the Republican facing Democratic Congressman Tim Walz of Mankato in November.

And in the 7th Congressional District, which includes Sibley County, primary voters will need to pick between two Republicans — endorsed candidate Glen Menze of Starbuck and Alan Roebke of Alexandria — with the winner taking on nine-term Rep. Collin Peterson, DFL-Detroit Lakes.

For every area legislative and congressional race but one, the Nov. 4 ballot will show one Republican and one Democrat with no appearances by the Independence Party, the Green Party or other third parties. Changes could still occur only if a candidate withdraws (that can happen until 5 p.m. Thursday).

The exception is the 1st Congressional District where Lake Crystal farmer and grain dealer Greg Mikkelson filed as an Independence Party challenger.

Mikkelson is a frequent candidate who has previously run as a Green Party candidate (2002), a member of the Independence Party (2004), and as a Republican (2006), never with much success at the ballot box. He didn’t top 5 percent of the vote in either general election and picked up just less than 13 percent in his primary challenge of then-Congressman Gil Gutknecht two years ago.

In the 2nd Congressional District, which includes Le Sueur County, it will be a straight two-man contest between incumbent Republican Rep. John Kline and Democratic challenger Steve Sarvi. No third-party candidates filed for the seat.

In state House races, a Republican surfaced Monday to fill the last vacancy in south-central Minnesota. Mike Bidwell of North Mankato is challenging freshman Rep. Terry Morrow, DFL-St. Peter, in the state House district that stretches from North Mankato to Gaylord.

Republican officials didn’t return phone calls about whether Bidwell has their endorsement. Bidwell also didn’t respond to phone calls seeking comment.

Republicans and Democrats had announced candidates — either weeks or months ago — for every legislative slot on the ballot in south-central Minnesota other than the blank spot left by the GOP in District 23A. The district includes most of North Mankato, St. Peter, rural Nicollet County and part of Sibley County.

Following are the other legislative races:

District 21B (open seat)

Businessman Bob Skillings, DFL-New Ulm, and farmer Paul Torkelson, R-St. James.

District 23B

Rep. Kathy Brynaert, DFL-Mankato, and electrical engineer Dale Jordan, R-Mankato.

District 24A

Rep. Bob Gunther, R-Fairmont, and attorney Dale Hansen, DFL-Fairmont.

District 24B

Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Vernon Center, and software engineer John Branstad, DFL-Madison Lake.

District 26A (open seat)

Teacher Kory Kath, DFL-Owatonna, and Mayor Tom Kuntz, R-Owatonna.