Republicans lead Kane County races in preliminary election results

Republican candidates held commanding leads in Kane County’s major races Tuesday, November 3, even as Democrats swept to national victories, gaining control of both chambers of Congress in a midterm election that has significantly shifted the balance of power in Washington.

Preliminary results released by the Kane County Clerk’s Office at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday showed Republicans leading both contested County Commission races, along with local voting for state and federal legislative offices.

Voter turnout stood at 60.86 percent, with 3,111 ballots cast among 5,112 registered voters. All 12 county precincts had reported at least partial results, although none was listed as complete.

In the race for Kane County Commission Seat A, Republican Patty Kubeja led Matthew Fisher with 1,885 votes, or 63.40 per-cent, to Fisher’s 1,088 votes, or 36.60 percent.

For Commission Seat B, Republican Celeste Meyeres held a similar advantage over Democrat Bo Folsom, receiving 2,020 votes, or 66.34 percent, compared with Folsom’s 1,025 votes, or 33.66 percent.

Republican Logan Monson led Democrat Tracie Yellowman Tso in Kane County voting for Utah House District 69, receiving 2,054 votes to Tso’s 993, a margin of 67.41 percent to 32.59 percent.

In Utah’s 3rd Congressional District race, Republican incumbent Celeste Maloy received 1,884 votes in Kane County, or 61.41 percent, compared with 997 votes, or 32.50 percent, for Democrat Kent Udell. Four other candidates shared the remaining votes.

The legislative and congressional figures reflect Kane County returns only, not totals from the full districts.

Three countywide offices were uncontested. Republican Jeff Stott received 2,395 votes for county attorney, Republican Chameill Lamb received 2,428 votes for clerk/auditor and Republican Tracy Glover received 2,506 votes for sheriff.

Two uncontested Kane County School Board seats also appeared on the ballot. Marc Grow received 441 votes for Seat 4, while Jarad Brinkerhoff received 477 votes for Seat 5.

Voters also considered two proposed amendments to the Utah Constitution.

Amendment A, which would replace the constitutional requirement to publish proposed amendments in newspapers with a publication process established by state law, received 1,843 votes in favor and 1,071 against in Kane County, drawing 63.25 percent support locally.

Amendment B, which would require 60 percent voter approval for citizen initiatives that raise taxes, produced a much closer result. Kane County voters favored the proposal by just 25 votes, 1,486 to 1,461. Statewide preliminary returns, however, showed the measure being rejected by a substantial margin.

In the Vermillion Cliffs Special Service District election, Larry Crutchfield led the 10-candidate field with 208 votes, followed by Kurt Loveless with 191, Gavin Bunting with 184, David Ferguson with 162 and Ralph Morrison with 155. Five seats were available.

All Kane County figures are preliminary and unofficial. Additional ballots may remain to be counted, and results are subject to change before certification.