Got real estate or a local genealogy project to get done? If so, then the upcoming August 11 partisan primary for Chippewa County might just interest you. There aren’t a lot of choices to pick from, with most candidates on the ballot running for their posts unopposed party-wise—but then there’s the race for County Register of Deeds! A post which often gets equated with that of county record keeper is currently being contested between Melanie K. McManus and Rhonda K. Kunsman. Before we can get into the nitty gritty details of the Register of Deeds race between two local Democrats, a few basic primary reminders are in order.

In the first place, “partisan” means “choose”—as in only one party vote allowed. Vote for more than one party in a partisan primary without indicating a party preference in the section up top and the ballot is a scratch. Vote for more than one party with a preference indicated in the “Party Preference Section” and only those votes aligning with the selected preference will be counted. With that important detail in mind, these are the candidates!

Starting in the U.S. House, it’s Tricia Zunker for the Democrats and Tom Tiffany for the Republicans—challengers need not apply, but can write their own name or else another one in. Meanwhile in the State Assembly, it’s Chris Kaspner for the Democrats facing off against Rob Summerfield, while the county clerk and treasurer positions are being sought by Jaclyn Jackie Sadler and Patricia Schimmel respectively, with no challengers. Wade C. Newell is seeking the District Attorney post as a Republican, and the Constitution Party is registered with the County but isn’t running any candidates. Great opportunity for a write-in, perhaps!

Getting back to the race for county Register of Deeds, though, just who are Melanie K. McManus and Rhonda K. Kunsman? For that, we turn to their campaign Facebook pages, where each makes their case for getting your vote this August 11. First up is Rhonda Kunsman.

A deputy in the Register of Deeds Office for the past three years, Kunsman also has experience in the Eau Claire County Register of Deeds office. She grew up in the City of Bloomer, being raised there by the late Ronald and Kathleen Zwielhofer, while she currently lives outside of Bloomer with her husband Rod. Kunsman received her Associate’s Degree in Administrative Assistant Information Processing from Chippewa County Technical College and asks for your vote on August 11. Then what of her challenger Melanie McManus?

Running against Kunsman in the August 11 primary, Mc-Manus has 28 years of experience in the real estate field. After graduating with an Associate’s degree in Paralegal from Chippewa Valley Technical College, McManus worked as a title examiner for Chippewa County Title and Abstract Co, Inc., which gave her familiarity with Chippewa County properties. Later she prepared documents for Wiley Law S. C., many of which are filed at the Register of Deeds. Currently working as a Deputy Register of Deeds,