Primary Election decides Valley races

VALLEY — Several races were decided in the San Luis Valley in Tuesday’s Primary Election, while other races were pared down for November face-offs.

In Costilla County, where there were no Republican candidates for open county seats, the Democratic Primary decided who will fill leadership positions in the county for the next four years. Costilla County had the most contested Primary Election races, with 15 candidates seeking five seats.

Of the four candidates running for Costilla County sheriff to replace Amos Medina, Danny R. Sanchez swept the race with 506 votes, nearly 200 votes ahead of the next closest challenger, Carlos C. DeLeon who received 312 votes. Colleen C. Romero received 126 and Steven Vigil 109. The new sheriff will take office in January.

Two new commissioners will fill the District 2 and 3 seats in Costilla County. Incumbent Augustine ‘’Roy’’ Esquibel was unseated on Tuesday for the District 3 seat, receiving 304 votes to winning challenger Steven Romero’s 500 votes. Fidel Rodriguez received 217 votes in the three-way race.

Filling Dolores Burns’ open commission seat in Costilla County will be Michael ‘’Mikey’’ V. Gallegos, who beat the next closest challenger by only 5 votes on Tuesday. Gallegos received 358 votes while Gilbert W. Martinez received 353 votes and Leroy Medina received 286.

(All of the posted results were listed as unofficial Tuesday night.)

Costilla County will also see a new county treasurer and assessor in January. Lorraine C. Medina defeated Rebecca ‘’Becky’’ Romero 462 to 338 votes to take the treasurer post. Both have been working in the office, Medina as deputy treasurer and Romero as deputy public trustee.

R. Thomas Aragon will be the new Costilla County assessor in the new year, having defeated challenger Lori Espinoza by a wide margin, 581 to 426.

In Rio Grande County, incumbent County Commissioner Karla Shriver lost her bid for re-election on the Republican ticket, having received 867 votes to challenger John Noffsker’s 939 votes. Noffsker will now face Democrat Joseph Schlabach in November. Rio Grande County’s only other contested race at the Primary Election level decided the sheriff’s race with Donald McDonald easily defeating Christopher Crown on the Republican ticket 1,080 to 631 votes.

Alamosa County had two contested local Primary Election races, both on the Republican ticket. Seeking the county treasurer post being vacated by the retirement of Lois Widhalm were Amy McKinley and Jerald Montoya. McKinley swept the vote with 1,233 ballots cast in her favor, while Montoya received 331 votes. McKinley will face Democrat Donna Griego in November.

Also by a wide margin (939 to 623), incumbent Alamosa County Commissioner Michael Yohn defeated challenger Arlan VanRy for the Republican candidacy for District 2 commissioner. Yohn will face Democratic challenger Edward Vigil in November.

Three Valley counties only had one contested race each at the Primary Election level. In Conejos County Republicans Garth Crowther and Marvin Thomas faced off Tuesday for the opportunity to face Democrat Jacob Ortiz in November in the run for sheriff. The two Republicans drew almost equal support, but Crowther won the race with 570 votes to Thomas’ 546 votes.

In Mineral County’s sole contested race, incumbent Mineral County Treasurer Patti Payne defeated opponent Lauri R Jordan by more than 40 votes, 163 to 120 on the Democratic ballot on Tuesday. Payne has served in the office for 18 years.

Saguache County also only had one contested local Primary Election race on Tuesday. Peter Peterson handily defeated Rhiannon Curry in the Democratic Primary for the county assessor post, 498 to 329.

Alamosa County Primary Election Unofficial Results

Representative to the 116th United States Congress - District 3 - Democratic Party

Diane Mitsch Bush 909

Karl Hanlon 327

Arn Menconi 175

Representative to the 116th United States Congress - District 3 - Republican Party

Scott R. Tipton 1,345

Governor - Democratic Party

Cary Kennedy 590

Jared Polis 472

Donna Lynne 165

Mike Johnston 332

Governor - Republican Party

Walker Stapleton 687

Greg Lopez 234

Doug Robinson 164

Victor Mitchell 402

Secretary of State - Democratic Party

Jena Griswold 1,253

Secretary of State - Republican Party

Wayne Williams 1,272

State Treasurer

Dave Young 1,007

Bernard Douthit 329

State Treasurer - Republican Party

Justin Everett 443

Polly Lawrence 354

Brian Watson  518

Attorney General - Democratic Party

Phil Weiser 646

Joe Salazar 879

Attorney General

George Brauchler 1,239

Regent of the University of Colorado - At Large - Democratic Party

Lesley Smith 1,250

Regent of the University of Colorado - At Large - Republican Party

Ken Montera 1,197

Regent of the University of Colorado - Congressional District 3 - Democratic Party

Alvin Rivera 1,304

Regent of the University of Colorado - Congressional District 3 - Republican Party

Glen H. Gallegos 1,205

State Representative - District 62 - Democratic Party

Don Valdez 1,300

Alamosa County Commissioner - District 2 - Democratic Party

Edward Vigil 1,385

Alamosa County Commissioner - District 2 - Republican Party

Michael Yohn 939

Arlan VanRy 623

Alamosa County Clerk and Recorder - Republican Party

Melanie Woodward 1,443

Alamosa County Treasurer - Democratic Party

Donna Griego 1,353

Alamosa County Treasurer - Republican Party

Amy McKinley 1,233

Jerald Montoya 331

Alamosa County Assessor - Republican Party

Sandra J. Hostetter 1,413

Alamosa County Sheriff - Democratic Party

Robert Jackson 1,404

Alamosa County Surveyor - Republican Party

Daniel M. Russell 1,380

Alamosa County Coroner - Republican Party

Trace K. Larson 1,343

Conejos County Primary Election Unofficial Results

Representative to the 116th United States Congress - District 3 - Democratic Party (

Diane Mitsch Bush 508

Karl Hanlon 262

Arn Menconi 122

Representative to the 116th United States Congress - District 3 - Republican Party

Scott R. Tipton 966

Governor - Democratic Party

Cary Kennedy 322

Jared Polis 333

Donna Lynne 97

Mike Johnston 279

Governor - Republican Party

Walker Stapleton 397

Greg Lopez 208

Doug Robinson 170

Victor Mitchell 298

Secretary of State - Democratic Party

Jena Griswold 830

Secretary of State - Republican Party

Wayne Williams 942

State Treasurer - Democratic Party

Dave Young 674

Bernard Douthit 207

State Treasurer - Republican Party

Justin Everett 376

Polly Lawrence 185

Brian Watson 405

Attorney General - Democratic Party

Phil Weiser 368

Joe Salazar 670

Attorney General - Republican Party

George Brauchler 924

Regent of the University of Colorado - At Large - Democratic Party

Lesley Smith 829

Regent of the University of Colorado - At Large - Republican Party

Ken Montera 904

Regent of the University of Colorado - Congressional District 3 - Democratic Party

Alvin Rivera 914

Regent of the University of Colorado - Congressional District 3 - Republican Party

Glen H. Gallegos 898

State Representative - District 62 - Democratic Party

Don Valdez 1,023

Conejos County Commissioner - District 2 - Democratic Party

Steve A. Cordova 838

Conejos County Commissioner - District 2 - Republican Party

Mitchell Jarvies 1,047

Conejos County Clerk and Recorder - Democratic Party

Nathan Ruybal 1,034

Conejos County Treasurer - Republican Party

Mack M. Crowther 1,076

Conejos County Assessor - Democratic Party

Naomi Martinez-Keys 1,027

Conejos County Sheriff - Democratic Party

Jacob D. Ortiz 799

Conejos County Sheriff - Republican Party

Garth Crowther 570

Marvin Thomas 546

Conejos County Surveyor - Republican Party

Martin Reynolds 1,036

Conejos County Coroner - Democratic Party

Leslie Salazar 933

Conejos County Coroner - Republican Party

Richard A. Martin 1,006

Costilla County Primary Election Unofficial Results

Representative to the 116th United States Congress - District 3 - Democratic Party

Diane Mitsch Bush 441

Karl Hanlon 185

Arn Menconi 105

Representative to the 116th United States Congress - District 3 - Republican Party

Scott R. Tipton 142

Governor - Democratic Party (Vote For 1)

Cary Kennedy 244

Jared Polis 284

Donna Lynne 112

Mike Johnston 237

Governor - Republican Party

Walker Stapleton 56

Greg Lopez 20

Doug Robinson 9

Victor Mitchell 65

Secretary of State - Democratic Party

Jena Griswold 682

Secretary of State - Republican Party

Wayne Williams 138

State Treasurer - Democratic Party

Dave Young 534

Bernard Douthit 168

State Treasurer - Republican Party

Justin Everett 48

Polly Lawrence 28

Brian Watson 60

Attorney General - Democratic Party

Phil Weiser 279

Joe Salazar 611

Attorney General - Republican Party

George Brauchler 129

Regent of the University of Colorado - At Large - Democratic Party

Lesley Smith 638

Regent of the University of Colorado - At Large - Republican Party

Ken Montera 121

Regent of the University of Colorado - Congressional District 3 - Democratic Party

Alvin Rivera 721

Regent of the University of Colorado - Congressional District 3

Glen H. Gallegos 121

State Representative - District 62 - Democratic Party

Don Valdez 817

Costilla County Commissioner - District 2 - Democratic Party

Michael ‘’Mikey’’ V. Gallegos 358

Gilbert W. Martinez 353

Leroy Medina 286

Costilla County Commissioner - District 3 - Democratic Party

Steven Romero 500

Augustine ‘’Roy’’ Esquibel 304

Fidel Rodriguez 217

Costilla County Clerk and Recorder - Democratic Party

Najondine T. Placek 806

Costilla County Treasurer - Democratic Party

Rebecca ‘’Becky’’ Romero 338

Lorraine C. Medina 462

Gary Gurule 225

Costilla County Assessor - Democratic Party

R. Thomas Aragon 581

Lori Espinoza 426

Costilla County Sheriff - Democratic Party

Danny R. Sanchez 506

Steven Vigil 109

Colleen C. Romero 126

Carlos C. DeLeon 312

Costilla County Coroner - Democratic Party

Gary R. Vigil 855

Mineral County Primary Election Unofficial Results

Representative to the 116th United States Congress - District 3 - Democratic Party

Diane Mitsch Bush 127

Karl Hanlon 60

Arn Menconi 14

Representative to the 116th United States Congress - District 3 - Republican Party

Scott R. Tipton 150

Governor - Democratic Party

Cary Kennedy 57

Jared Polis 77

Donna Lynne 28

Mike Johnston 84

Governor - Republican Party

Walker Stapleton 67

Greg Lopez 21

Doug Robinson 13

Victor Mitchell 59

Secretary of State - Democratic Party

Jena Griswold 175

Secretary of State - Republican Party

Wayne Williams 130

State Treasurer - Democratic Party

Dave Young 118

Bernard Douthit 72

State Treasurer - Republican Party

Justin Everett 38

Polly Lawrence 35

Brian Watson 59

Attorney General - Democratic Party

Phil Weiser 132

Joe Salazar 97

Attorney General - Republican Party

George Brauchler 119

Regent of the University of Colorado - At Large - Democratic Party

Lesley Smith 159

Regent of the University of Colorado - At Large - Republican Party

Ken Montera 110

Regent of the University of Colorado - Congressional District 3 - Democratic Party

Alvin Rivera 156

Regent of the University of Colorado - Congressional District 3 - Republican Party

Glen H. Gallegos 111

State Representative - District 62 - Democratic Party

Don Valdez 172

Mineral County Commissioner - District 1 - Democratic Party

R Scott Lamb 237

Mineral County Clerk and Recorder - Republican Party

Eryn K Wintz 165

Mineral County Treasurer - Democratic Party

Lauri R Jordan 120

Patti Payne 163

Mineral County Assessor - Democratic Party

Libby Lamb 195

Mineral County Sheriff - Democratic Party

Fred Hosselkus 216

Mineral County Coroner - Democratic Party

Jimmy K Adelman 209

Rio Grande County Primary Election Unofficial Results

Representative to the 116th United States Congress - District 3 - Democratic Party

Diane Mitsch Bush 548

Karl Hanlon 221

Arn Menconi 96

Representative to the 116th United States Congress - District 3 - Republican Party

Scott R. Tipton 1,583

Governor - Democratic Party

Cary Kennedy 281

Jared Polis 307

Donna Lynne 89

Mike Johnston 252

Governor - Republican Party

Walker Stapleton 790

Greg Lopez 233

Doug Robinson 146

Victor Mitchell 565

Secretary of State - Democratic Party

Jena Griswold 772

Secretary of State - Republican Party

Wayne Williams 1,469

State Treasurer - Democratic Party

Dave Young 624

Bernard Douthit 216

State Treasurer - Republican Party

Justin Everett 469

Polly Lawrence 368

Brian Watson 681

Attorney General - Democratic Party

Phil Weiser 338

Joe Salazar 572

Attorney General - Republican Party

George Brauchler 1,449

Regent of the University of Colorado - At Large - Democratic Party

Lesley Smith 745

Regent of the University of Colorado - At Large - Republican Party

Ken Montera 1,355

Regent of the University of Colorado - Congressional District 3 - Democratic Party

Alvin Rivera 778

Regent of the University of Colorado - Congressional District 3 - Republican Party

Glen H. Gallegos 1,360

State Representative - District 62 - Democratic Party

Don Valdez 811

Rio Grande County Commissioner - District 2 - Democratic Party

Joseph Schlabach 740

Rio Grande County Commissioner - District 2 - Republican Party

John Noffsker 939

Karla L Shriver 867

Rio Grande County Clerk and Recorder - Republican Party

Cindy Hill 1,633

Rio Grande County Treasurer - Republican Party

Cherilyn K Rue 1,579

Rio Grande County Assessor - Republican Party

J J Mondragon 1,583

Rio Grande County Sheriff - Republican Party

Donald G McDonald 1,080

Christopher Crown 631

Rio Grande County Coroner - Republican Party

Stephen Hunzeker 1,546

Saguache County Primary Election Unofficial Results

Representative to the 116th United States Congress - District 3 - Democratic Party

Diane Mitsch Bush 539

Karl Hanlon153

Arn Menconi 75

Representative to the 116th United States Congress - District 3 - Republican Party

Scott R. Tipton 405

Governor - Democratic Party

Cary Kennedy 294

Jared Polis 314

Donna Lynne 64

Mike Johnsto 158

Governor - Republican Party

Walker Stapleton 212

Greg Lopez 79

Doug Robinson 30

Victor Mitchell 147

Secretary of State - Democratic Party

Jena Griswold 598

Secretary of State - Republican Party

Wayne Williams 378

State Treasurer - Democratic Party

Dave Young 448

Bernard Douthit 229

State Treasurer - Republican Party

Justin Everett 157

Polly Lawrence 94

Brian Watson 163

Attorney General - Democratic Party

Phil Weiser 282

Joe Salazar 510

Attorney General - Republican Party

George Brauchler 371

Regent of the University of Colorado - At Large - Democratic Party

Lesley Smith 573

Regent of the University of Colorado - At Large - Republican Party

Ken Montera 343

Regent of the University of Colorado - Congressional District 3 - Democratic Party

Alvin Rivera 595

Regent of the University of Colorado - Congressional District 3 - Republican Party

Glen H. Gallegos 331

State Representative - District 62 - Democratic Party

Don Valdez 626

Saguache County Commissioner - District 3 - Democratic Party

Tim N. Lovato 620

Saguache County Commissioner - District 3 - Republican Party

Ellen E. Cox 348

Saguache County Clerk and Recorder - Democratic Party

Renee Hazard 627

Saguache County Clerk and Recorder - Republican Party

Trish Gilbert 427

Saguache County Treasurer - Republican Party

Connie A. Trujillo 425

Saguache County Assessor - Democratic Party

Peter Peterson 498

Rhiannon Curry 329

Saguache County Sheriff - Democratic Party

Nobel Havens 533

Saguache County Sheriff - Republican Party

Dan Warwick 431

Saguache County Coroner - Democratic Party

Tom Perrin 650