Preliminary municipal election results in Monticello and Bluff

by Bill Boyle
San Juan Record Editor
Voters in Monticello and Bluff elected members of their governing town councils in a special election held on November 21. In addition, three Blanding area residents will serve terms on the Blanding City Council.
With a number of ballots that may still be counted, it appears that the three newly elected members of the Monticello City Council are Kirk Crowley, Ron Skinner and Nathan Chamberlain.
Crowley led the way with 278 votes, while Skinner finished with 261 votes, and Chamberlain earned 258 votes. Trailing in the voting were Kim Henderson with 222 votes, Jeremy Hoggard with 146 votes and Mack Smith with 39 votes.
The uncounted votes are not expected to change the outcome of the election.
All three incumbents on the current City Council, including Skinner, Henderson and Chamberlain, sought another term, with Chamberlain and Skinner earning another term.
Turnout was strong, with more than 400 voters participating in the election.
The newly elected officials will join Kevin Dunn and George Rice on the city council, along with Mayor Bayley Hedglin.
In Bluff, two new members of the Bluff Town Council are Britt Hornsby and Jennifer Davila
Hornsby led the way with 80 votes, while Davila finished with 77. Trailing in the voting were Gary Lichtenstein with 68 votes, and Wes Shook with 48.
As in Monticello, the uncounted votes are not expected to change the outcome of the election.
Incumbents Brant Murray and Jim Sayers did not seek an additional term on the town council, after both had served two prior terms.
Turnout was exceptionally strong in Bluff, with 147 voters participating in the election. That translates to 75 percent of the 195 registered voters who cast a ballot in the election.
The newly elected officials will join Linda Sosa and Luanne Hook on the Town Council, along with Mayor Ann Leppanen.
In Blanding, three community members will serve a term on the Blanding City Council, including incumbents Kellen Nielson and Chris Ewald, along with political newcomer Charlie Taylor.
Incumbent Len Gasser did not seek an additional term on the City Council.
They will join Cheryl Bowers and Eric Grover on the city council, along with Mayor Logan Monson.
Five Blanding residents initially registered to run for the three open seats, but after two of the candidates withdrew, the election was canceled due to uncontested races.
Elections in Utah are generally on the first Tuesday of November, but the election was delayed to November 21 after the resignation of Congressman Chris Stewart of the Utah District 2. The special election resulted in the election of Republican Celeste Maloy to replace Chris Stewart in Congress.

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