RBC | Rio Blanco County voters narrowed the field for several local and statewide races during the June 30 primary election, with Republican nominees now set to compete in the Nov. 3 general election.
According to unofficial results from the Rio Blanco County Clerk and Recorder’s Office, 2,291 ballots were cast, representing nearly 51% voter turnout.
The county’s first contested local race was for the District 1 seat on the Rio Blanco County Board of Commissioners. Travis Day defeated Richard Ford, receiving 1,262 votes, or 61.38%, compared to Ford’s 794 votes, or 38.62%.
Because no other candidates have qualified for the November ballot, Day is set to become the next Rio Blanco County commissioner following the general election.
The Republican primary for Rio Blanco County sheriff featured the county’s other contested race. Travis Mobley defeated Jim D. Amick by a wide margin, earning 1,781 votes, or 84.29%, to Amick’s 332 votes, or 15.71%.
With no opposition in November, Mobley is set to become Rio Blanco County’s next sheriff.
Several other county offices were uncontested in the primary and will also be decided without opposition in the general election. County Clerk and Recorder Shawn M. Luce received 1,707 votes, County Treasurer Rebecca Balboa earned 1,587 votes, County Coroner Laura L. Smith received 1,657 votes and County Surveyor Jonathan Leif Joy collected 1,702 votes.
Each candidate is unopposed heading into the November election.
While most county races are settled, Rio Blanco County voters will still have several competitive contests on the Nov. 3 ballot.
In Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, Republican incumbent Jeff Hurd advanced to the general election and will face Democrat Dwayne L. Romero.
The U.S. Senate race will feature Democrat John Hickenlooper and Republican Mark Baisley.
In the governor’s race, Republican voters are still awaiting the final result between Victor Marx and Barb Kirkmeyer. The Republican nominee will face Democrat Phil Weiser in November.
Rio Blanco County voters will also decide several statewide legislative and constitutional office races.
In Colorado Senate District 8, Democrat Dylan Roberts will face Republican nominee Corey Marshall.
For Colorado House District 26, Democrat Meghan Lukens will face Republican nominee James Kellogg.
The attorney general race will feature Democrat Jena Griswold against Republican Michael Allen.
In the secretary of state race, Democratic nominee Amanda Gonzalez will face Republican James Wiley.
The state treasurer race will feature Democrat Jeff Bridges against Republican Kevin Grantham.
With the primary election complete, Rio Blanco County voters will return to the polls in November to decide the remaining contested races and finalize the state and local offices that will serve the community in the coming years.