Two candidates vying for Polk County Commission District 2 seat

EAST GRAND FORKS — Both candidates for Polk County Commission s District 2 seat are bringing previous experience from other boards as Election Day draws closer. Curtis Knutson and Leonard Vonasek will appear on the general ballot for some East Grand Forks residents, as District 2 covers Wards 1 and 2 of the city. Knutson and Vonasek were the highest and second-highest vote-getters during Minnesota s primary election, earning about 48.5% and 32.3% of the votes, respectively. The third candidate, Douglas Cariveau, received 19.2%. Vonasek, who lives just south of the East Grand Forks city limits, said he decided to run for commission because of Warren Strandell, the current District 2 commissioner who chose not to run for reelection. I found out that he s retiring, and he asked me if I was interested in running for a commissioner position, he said. I said, yes, I was, and I guess I ve been in it with both feet since then. Vonasek has previously served on the Polk C