Advertisement

GOP DA race too close to call

|
Wednesday, June 27, 2012 2:45 AM
Election judges open envelopes and check signatures before running ballots through the counting machine Tuesday in the primary election.
William Furse
Russell Wasley
Keenan Ertel
Dewayne Findley

Right now, the difference is nine votes, and challenger Will Furse has the lead in the Republican race for district attorney in the 22nd Judicial District.

Unofficial vote totals have Furse leading incumbent Russell Wasley 1,917 to 1,908. The results won’t be official until July 5, and with several ballots that still need to be verified, vote totals could change.

The judicial district includes both Montezuma and Dolores counties.

Furse won the Montezuma County vote — 1,835 to 1,792, and Wasley scored a 116 to 82 victory in Dolores County.

With no opposition from the Democrat party, the winner of the DA’s Republican primary will be unopposed in November.

Furse’s momentum started back in late February when he earned enough support at the Republican assembly to make the ballot over Wasley. The incumbent was forced to petition his way on to the primary ballot at that point.

Ertel picked up 2,271 to easily win the District 2 race over Garner, 953 votes, and DeGagne-Rule, who picked up 515 votes.

In District 3, Findley, who held the commissioner office in the past, defeated Casey McClellan 2,119 to 1,456.

With no Democratic opposition in the November election, Ertel will be the only name on the ballot for District 2. But in District 3, Findley will be looking to defeat a pair of unaffiliated candidates who petitioned their way onto the November ballot. Larry Don Suckla and Greg Kemp will be opposing Findley.

The two commissioner seats are vacant this year because both Larrie Rule and Gerald Koppenhafer are term limited.

2012 Republican Primary Election

Montezuma County Commissioner
District 2
Keenan Ertel — 2,271
Creston Bud Garner — 953
Pat DeGagne-Rule — 515

District 3
Dewayne Findley — 2,119
Casey McClellan — 1,456

22nd Judicial District Attorney
Will Furse — 1,917
Russell Wasley — 1,908
Results won’t be official until July 5.

Advertisement