Blanding Mayor Logan Monson's lead grows in Republican race for legislative seat

Blanding Mayor Logan Monson is strengthening his lead in the race for the local Republican seat in the Utah House of Representatives as votes continue to be counted from the June 25 primary election.
Monson’s narrow 27-vote lead over Lynn Jackson grew to 112 votes after several hundred additional ballots were reported on June 26.
The newly-counted ballots, including an additional 201 votes from Kane County and 145 votes from San Juan County, continue a late surge by Monson, who trailed by 67 votes as late as 10:15 p.m. on election date.
A surge of votes from the Blanding area was counted at approximately 11:15 p.m. and gave Monson a narrow lead, which has grown with the latest updates on June 26.
The race is to replace Phil Lyman as the Republican candidate on the November general election ballot. The winner will face Democrat Davina Smith in the general election.
Phil Lyman appears to have failed in his bid to secure the Republican nomination for Governor. Election results show incumbent Spencer Cox leading Lyman by a 56 to 44 percent margin. The difference between the candidates is approximately 42,000 votes.
In the other close race, Lori Maughan continues to hold a narrow lead over Erik Grover in the race for San Juan County Commissioner.
After numbers were updated on June 26, Maughan holds a 39-vote lead over Grover, with 481 for Maughan and 442 for Grover. Doug Allen has secured 252 votes.
The race is to replace Bruce Adams on the San Juan County Commission.