Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
Tuesday's primary election saw several local races called for challengers in contested races.
County
According to the unofficial initial results, in the race for commissioner, incumbent Fred Devish and challenger Bob Latham won the vote.
The county coroner seat was also contested, with incumbent Mike Frolander winning the nomination over challenger Everett Zimmerschied.
However, most candidates for county seats went unchallenged. The results confirm Joe Baron as the Democratic candidate for county attorney; on the Republican ballot, Jeff Hodge for sheriff, Melissa Jones for county clerk, Tammy Jundt for county treasurer, Dan Thomas for county assessor and Julie Altaffer for clerk of district court.
Cities
For each of the nonpartisan municipal seats, two candidates will move forward to the general election, along with any potential write-in candidates, which will be confirmed at a later date.
Of the two candidates for Mayor of Sundance, challenger Joe Wilson won the most votes. Three candidates ran for two open council seats, with incumbents Brad Marchant and Callie Hilty topping the vote.
In Moorcroft incumbents Dale Petersen and Paul Smoot won the most votes for the two two-year unexpired terms. Incumbent Austin Smith also gained
the most votes for the two four-year terms, alongside challenger Robert Stewart.
In Pine Haven, the two candidates for mayor, incumbent Karla Brandenburg and challenger Fred Nelson, got equal votes.
Legislature
Both of Crook County's legislative seats require confirmation from voters in neighboring counties, which was not available at press time.
However, the Associated Press had called the nomination for state senator for incumbent Ogden Driskill.
Chip Neiman, who ran unchallenged, won the Republican vote for his representative seat.
Federal and State
Full statewide results were not available at press time to confirm the primary winners for federal and state seats.
However, local voters chose Harriet Hageman as the Republican candidate for U.S. Representative and Lynnette Greybull on the Democratic side.
Cheney had already conceded the race to her opponent.
Brent Bien was the local Republican choice for governor, with Theresa Livingston as the Democratic winner. Chuck Gray took the win locally for secretary of state on the Republican side, while Kristi Racines went unchallenged for state auditor.
Crook County Republicans chose Curt Meier to remain state treasurer and Brian Schroeder for superintendent of public instruction.
The Democratic choice for the latter role was Sergio Maldonado, who ran unchallenged.
Below are the unofficial initial Crook County results from this year's primary. Only local results appear here for state offices.
MUNICIPAL
Sundance Mayor
Paul Brooks 206
Joe Wilson 257
Sundance Council
Brad Marchant 300
Callie Hilty 322
Rick Benavidez 166
Moorcroft Mayor
Ben Glenn 190
Moorcroft Council - 4 Year
John Aloisio 92
Dale Petersen 139
Paul Smoot 125
Moorcroft Council - 4 Year
Dustin Petz 86
Austin Smith 153
Robert Stewart 101
Pine Haven Mayor
Karla Brandenburg 113
Fred Nelson 113
Pine Haven Council - 2 YEar
Suzette Edwards 158
Pine Haven Council - 4 Year
Rob Norton 158
Kristy Speed 153
LOCAL
State Senator (R)
Ogden Driskill 1266
Bill Fortner 517
Roger Connett 1129
State Representative (R)
Chip Neiman 2457
County Commissioner (R)
Jeanne Whalen 1309
Fred Devish 1593
Bob Latham 1358
County Clerk (R)
Melissa Jones 2516
Clerk of District Court (R)
Julie Altaffer 2379
County Assessor (R)
Dan Thomas 2285
County Treasurer (R)
Tammy Jundt 2482
County Sheriff (R)
Jeff Hodge 2524
County Attorney (D)
Joe Baron 37
County Coroner (R)
Michael R. Frolander 1926
Everett Zimmerschied 746
FEDERAL
U.S. Representative (R)
Anthony Bouchard 98
Denton Knapp 55
Harriet Hageman 2370
Liz Cheney 403
Robyn Belinskey 31
U.S. Representative (D)
Lynette GreyBull 23
Meghan Jensen 13
Steve Helling 7
STATE
Governor (R)
Mark Gordon 1306
Brent Bien 1369
James Scott Quick 84
Rex Rammell 142
Governor (D)
Rex Wilde 7
Theresa Livingston 35
Secretary of State (R)
Chuck Gray 1661
R. Mark Armstrong 233
Tara Nethercott 837
State Auditor (R)
Kristi Racines 2356
State Treasurer (R)
Bill Gallop 662
Curt Meier 1789
Superintendent of Public Instruction (R)
Brian Schroeder 1216
Jennifer Zerba 195
Megan Degenfelder 747
Robert White III 82
Thomas Kelly (withdrawn) 239
Superintendent of Public Instruction (D)
Sergio Maldonado, Sr 35