A fourth candidate entered the race for Pierce County treasurer -- filing for the office just under the deadline.

Paula J. Knutson, a Democrat, joins three Republicans in the contest. Incumbent Lee Skog is not seeking re-election.

While the other three treasurer candidates met the regular July 11 deadline, Knutson took advantage of a 72-hour extension to file. That deadline extension was allowed by law because Skog did not file a declaration of non-candidacy, said County Clerk Jamie Feuerhelm.

Knutson, Beldenville, is a certified public accountant and works in the tax department of a private financial services firm in downtown St. Paul.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from UW-Eau Claire. Knutson passed her CPA exam in Minnesota in August 1998.

She said she started working for her current employer in February 1997, left for 2½ years to work as a probate paralegal in Richmond, Va., and then returned to the St. Paul company in 2002.

A primary election will be held Sept. 12 to whittle the number of Republican candidates for treasurer from three to the one who will face Knutson in November.

The three Republicans are Tami R. Langer, Ellsworth; Faye C. Owen, Maiden Rock; and Gordon Borner, Beldenville.

The Sept. 12 primary will also select a Democratic candidate for sheriff.

In that race, Democrats Nancy Ortwerth, Hager City, and Tom Gunderson, River Falls, are challenging Republican incumbent Everett Muhlhausen, Ellsworth.

Judy Wiff is the Regional Editor for the RiverTown Newspaper Group and is based in River Falls. She can be contacted at 715.426.1049 or regional@rivertowns.net