Sanders & Mineral county election results

With higher than average Montana voter turnout for the 2018 Midterm Election, incumbent Democrat Sen. Jon Tester slipped past Republican Matt Rosendale to retain his seat in the U.S. Senate. Tester received 50 percent of the Montana vote to Rosendale’s 47 percent. Libertarian Rick Breckenridge received 3 percent. All totaled it was 251,611 votes for Tester and 227,036 for Rosendale, a difference of 24,575 votes. Greg Gianforte was declared the winner over Kathleen Williams with 51 percent compared to her 46 percent.

The national climate may have played a part into a high voter turnout in Sanders County, Election Administrator Nichol Scribner said last Friday.

“Montana played an important role in the national scene this year, and the issues that were on the ballot were important to people,” she said.

Overal, 71 percent of the county’s 8,647 registered voters cast their votes last week, which is comparable to the 2016 presidential election, where 74 percent of the county’s voters showed up at the polls.

According to a 2017 census estimate from the United States Census Bureau, Sanders County has 11,711 residents.

“It was definitely a significant year. I hope it’s a trend that continues,” Scribner said.

In Mineral County, there was a 63.6 percent registered voter turnout. This was down slightly from the 2016 General Elections where there was a 68 percent turnout. However, the number of registered voters has increased in the county with 3,281 this year and 2,087 cast, compared to 3,101 registered in 2016 with 2,096 cast.

In the county, Rosendale was given a solid lead with 57 percent of the votes, to Tester’s 38 percent. Breckenridge received 4 percent. County voters also supported Gianforte with 62 percent of the vote, giving Williams 34 percent and Libertarian Elinor Swanson 3 percent.

Statewide ballot initiatives reported a “no” on Initiative 185, which would have expanded Medicaid eligibility and raised taxes on tobacco products, 55 percent to 45 percent. Initiative 128, the 6-mill levy for the Montana University System, received a “yes” vote with 61 percent with 39 percent of Montana voters casting a “no.”

On I-129, the Prohibition of Ballot Collection by Certain Individuals, was supported with 63 percent “yes” and 37 percent “no.” Voters also cast a “no” to I-185, Deny a Hardrock Mine Permit for Perpetual Treatment of Water, with 41 percent supporting the initiative.

Mineral County

Dale Magone retained his seat as the Mineral County Justice of the Peace with 54 percent of the vote to challenger Jessica Schaak’s 46 percent. Other unchallenged positions were approved by voters giving Rep. county commissioner Laurie Johnston another term with 100 percent of the vote as well as Rep. Kelann McLees for the County Clerk and Recorder. Sheriff Mike Boone (Rep.) also received 100 percent, as did county attorney Ellen Donohue, who ran as an Independent. Mary Yarnall will remain as the county treasurer and superintendent of schools.

Sanders County

High-profile races in Sanders County were for sheriff and county commissioner.

Incumbent Sheriff/Coroner Tom Rummel was easily re-elected, garnering 4,323 votes to Darlene Lee’s 1,579 votes.

Another incumbent, Carol Brooker, won a relatively close race for county commissioner-District 1 over challenger Paul Fielder.

In the race for 20th District Court Judge, Dept. 2, Deborah “Kim” Christopher eased to the win over Ashley Morigeau (3,713-1,783). That was also the case for the House District 13 seat, won by Bob Brown over Chris Gross.

Douglas Dryden was elected Sanders County Justice of the Peace in a race against Mark French.

Running unopposed and gaining positions in Sanders County were: Nichol Scribner, county clerk and recorder/treasurer/superintendent of schools; and Naomi Leisz, county attorney/public administrator.

District 4 Judges Leslie Halligan, Robert “Dusty” Deschamps, and John Larson all retained their seats.

Statewide, Bowen Greenwood (R) won the Clerk of Supreme Court seat (52 percent) over Rex Renk (D) (42 percent). Judges Beth Baker and Igrid Gustafson retained their seats on the Montana Supreme Court.

Following are unofficial results from Sanders County:

20th District Court Judge, Dept. 2

Deborah “Kim” Christopher - 3,713

Ashley Morigeau - 1,783

State Representative, House District 13

Bob Brown, Republican - 2,584

Chris Gross, Democrat - 981

State Representative, House District 14

Denley Loge, Republican - 1,767

Diane Magone, Democrat - 620

Sanders Co. Commissioner, District 1

Carol Brooker - 3,102

Paul Fielder - 2,768

County Sheriff/Coroner

Tom Rummel - 4,323

Darlene Lee - 1,579

Justice of the Peace

Douglas Dryden - 3,615

Mark French - 2,035

U.S. Senator

Jon Tester, Democrat - 2,047

Matt Rosendale, Republican - 3,829

Rick Breckenridge, Libertarian - 225

U.S. Representative

Kathleen Williams, Democrat - 1,834

Greg Gianforte, Republican - 4,047

Elinor Swanson, Libertarian - 206

Retain Supreme Court Justice #4 Beth Baker

For - 4,202

Against - 1,114

Retain Supreme Court Justice #2 Ingrid Gustafson

For - 4,094

Against - 1,152

Legislative Referendum No. 128, 6-mill levy for university support

For - 2,682

Against - 3,291

Legislative Referendum No. 129, Montana Ballot Interference Act

For - 3,977

Against - 1,915

Initiatve 185, Tobacco Taxes

For - 2,227

Against - 3,847

Initiative 186, Reclamation Plan for Hard Rock Mines

For - 1,866

Against - 4,171

­—Additional reporting by Ashley Fox & Joe Sova