Key races in June 26 primary election

Voters will have several choices when they go to the polls for the June 26 primary election. The party candidate will be determined in several races for the Democrats and the Republicans.
The Republican primary is closed to registered members of the Republican party. The Democratic primary is open to any registered voter who requests a ballot. Of course, a voter can receive only one primary ballot.
In addition, voters in Bluff will select leaders for their community in a general election race on June 26. It is the first municipal election in Bluff for the newly incorporated city.
The Republican primary will feature a race for San Juan County Commission District 1 between Bruce Adams and Logan Monson. The other local race on the Republican ballot is between Sheriff candidates Cal Dean Black and Jason Torgerson.
The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat John Young in the general election.
At the Utah Republican Convention on April 21, Phil Lyman secured a spot as the Republican candidate for the Utah House of Representatives representing the 73rd district.
Lyman secured enough votes from delegates to secure the nomination without a primary challenge.
Two federal races will be on the Republican primary ballot after delegates did not select a clear favorite.
Mike Kennedy and Mitt Romney face off for the race for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Orrin Hatch.
John Curtis and Chris Herrod are on the primary ballot for Utah’s Third District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Democratic primary on June 26 will feature a race between Rebecca Benally and Kenneth Maryboy for San Juan County Commission District 3.
Maryboy secured the nomination at the county convention on March 17, but Benally had enough signatures by petition to force the primary race.
Primary races for Democratic positions in state and federal government, if any, will be determined at the Utah Democratic Convention on April 28.
In the San Juan County Commission District 2, Democrat Willie Greyeyes and Republican Kelly Laws have secured their party’s nomination without a primary race.
A residency challenge has been made to the candidacy of Greyeyes. See the story here.
Other unopposed candidates on the November general election ballot include Democrat County Attorney Kendall Laws, Republican County Clerk John David Nielson, and Republican County Assessor Greg Adams.
In addition, the June 26 primary election will pare the list of candidates for two spots on the San Juan School Board.
In District 3, the three candidates include Steven Black, Curtis Yanito, and Suzette Morris.
In District 4, the candidates include Elsie Dee, Melvin Capitan Jr, Billy Todachennie, and Lucille Cody. The general election ballot is set for the other three positions on the school board.
In addition to the primary races, there will be a general election on June 26 for Bluff. Voters will elect a mayor and four members of the town council in Bluff’s first municipal election since voters approved incorporation in November, 2017.
Marcia Hadenfeldt was the only candidate for Mayor after Josh Ewing withdrew his nomination. However, Ann Leppanen has begun a write-in candidacy.
Bluff Council candidates include Jim Sayers, Brant Murray, Amer Tumeh, Luanne Hook, Linda Sosa, and Jennifer Davila.
In January, Federal Judge Robert Shelby signed a court order which creates new voting districts for all three commission seats and all five seats on the San Juan School Board. The order also calls for elections in 2018 for all eight positions.

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