Wednesday, November 8, 2006

Schoen, Michael victorious in commission races

High voter turnout across county favors two Democrats

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By GREGORY FOLEY
Express Staff Writer

Larry Shoen

Incumbent Democrat Sarah Michael and fellow Democrat Larry Schoen gained victories early Wednesday morning in their respective bids for seats on the three-member Blaine County Commission.

Michael earned 4,470 votes (60 percent) to defeat challenger Mickey Garcia, an Independent, to retain the District 3 seat, which represents northern Blaine County. Garcia garnered 2,480 votes (33 percent). Schoen earned 4,431 votes (60 percent) to defeat Republican contender Dale Ewersen, who received 2,749 votes (37 percent). Schoen and Ewersen were battling for the District 1 seat, representing southern Blaine County. The District 1 seat is currently occupied by Commissioner Dennis Wright, of Bellevue, who is stepping down.

“Sarah Michael

The election was marked by a very high voter turnout—7,430 of the 11,328 registered voters in Blaine County cast ballots. More than 2,000 ballots were cast by absentee voters. That figure is twice the previous record number of absentee ballots cast in a county election. Final results of the election were not tallied until 1:40 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8.

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Late Tuesday night, when results came in from southern and outlying areas of Blaine County, Ewersen and Garcia held strong positions against their contenders. However, when votes were tallied from the two population centers of Hailey and Ketchum the two Democrats pulled away.