— Three candidates -- an insurance agent, a veterans services officer and an accountant -- are competing in a Tuesday primary in Nicollet County's 1st District. The top two vote-getters face off in the general election in November.

When the last election for this seat was held, in 2010, the term was to be four years. But the County Board decided earlier this year to put all five seats up for election this year because of redistricting.

The 1st District is comprised of the city of St. Peter north of Broadway Street, as well as Lake Prairie and Traverse townships.

The incumbent is Marie Dranttel, who owns an accounting business in St. Peter and was first elected to the seat in 2010, when she received 57 percent of the general election vote.

She said her time on the board so far has been "extremely rewarding."

For Dranttel, the county's most important issue is its budget.

"We have to make do with less dollars," she said.

As an example of the County Board's success in this area, she said the county levy increased by only 1 percent last year.

"I don't know if that's possible for this year with the increase in fuel costs and labor costs," she said.

Dranttel said her career has helped her on the board.

"Oh, I think so. Numbers is my game. It taught me to look at every side of an issue," she said.

She acknowledges she's not running an aggressive campaign.

"I'm not your typical politician," Dranttel said. "I'm not very good at selling myself."

But she doesn't believe her lack of visibility will hurt her.

'I think people appreciate the fact I'm not a professional politician," she said.

Terry Genelin, who has a 30-year career selling insurance and investments with Farmers Financial Solutions in Le Sueur, is making his second run for the office. He lost the 2010 primary with about 20 percent of the vote.

Genelin said he's at a disadvantage because he lives in one of the district's two townships, while most of the voters are in St. Peter. In the 2010 primary, St. Peter residents accounted for 606 of the 851 ballots cast.

But he's been more active in the city the last few years, and hopes his extra visibility helps.

Genelin has been the clerk, an elected position, for Lake Prairie Township for more than 28 years. He's used that role to become more involved in governing. For example, he has represented the county on the Minnesota Association of Townships' legislative committee.

More than either of his competitors, Genelin believes the County Board is growing government too large.

'We continue to grow government when the tax base and the population hasn't grown in the same proportion,' he said.

For example, he said, the county is going to add a full-time ditch inspector whereas Brown County satisfied itself with a short-term contractor.

He also said issues seem to get too little scrutiny at the board level, and end up being voted on unanimously with little or no discussion.

James Golgart is a 20-year veteran of the Army who retired from the service in 1999. For the past 12 years, he has been working for Le Sueur County as a county veterans services officer.

This is his first run for political office, though he said his experience with the county and with the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers has helped prepare him for the County Board.

He's also worked with the nationwide association of veterans service officers, where he was the treasurer for seven years.

Golgart said it was his work at the state level, which introduced him to county commissioners, that led him to seek county office.

"I want to be able to work more hand in hand with these individuals and help the residents of Nicollet County," he said.

He said the biggest issue counties are facing is state aid cuts." They all have seen a cut and they have to find that money elsewhere," he said.

Golgart said transportation is another important issue, considering there is no public transportation outside of St. Peter and North Mankato. He said he's working with a Region Nine Development Commission group to develop a rural transit plan.

Jobs are important, as well, he said. When asked how the County Board could help create jobs, he said its first role is improved transportation for businesses. Tax incentives to bring business to the county is another option, he said.

None of the three candidates has filed a campaign finance report. Candidates have to file such reports within two weeks after spending $750.