Posted on 11/08/2006 3:01:09 PM PST by Tim Long
Voter turnout reflects heated political races: Jore leads Windham in unofficial results
For months the candidates spoke. Now the voters have spoken. In Lake County, there were a number of interesting initial results, including a good margin of victory by Rick Jore in the House District 12 race. Jore had 1,816 votes to Jeanne Windham's 1,425 votes, as of early Wednesday morning.
However, county election officials emphasized that they still have hundreds of absentee, provisional and late-registration ballots to tally, which could affect several races, including House District 12.
Locally, Polson voters approved the city manager/charter form of government by a vote of 607 to 515, just hours after the lone dissenter on the city government review commission complained to the city council about what she felt was an improper mailing sent to voters telling them to vote "yes" on the issue (see story, A2).
Also, the Lake County Search and Rescue levy was passed by a wide margin, 6,165 to 2,299, which will provide about $110,000 in annual funding for two separate search crews.
Here are the unofficial results for Lake County as of early Wednesday morning. Please note that these are unofficial, and the official results won't be known for at least a few days, and longer, especially for Senate and House districts that encompass multiple counties.
Statewide
In the race for U.S. Senate, Jon Tester had a slim margin of victory of 4,265 votes to Conrad Burns' 4,176, with Libertarian Stan Jones getting 337 votes. Statewide, Tester had 50 percent of the vote to Burns' 47 percent, with Jones taking two percent, after 70 percent of precincts reported, the Associated Press said.
For U.S. Representative, incumbent Denny Rehberg (R) had 5,177 votes to Democratic challenger Monica J. Lindeen's 3,389 and Mike Fellows (L), with 206. Statewide, Rehberg had a lead of 57 percent to Lindeen's 41 percent with 65 percent of the precincts reporting, the Associated Press said.
For Clerk of the Supreme Court, incumbent Ed Smith (D) received 4,412 votes to challenger Ron Marquardt (C) with 2,814 and Howard Scott Butler (L) with 696.
In the race for Public Service Commissioner, District 5, Mike Taylor got 4,475 votes to Ken Toole's 4,125 votes, but with four other counties involved, local results could be misleading. Initial results had Toole with 54 percent of the vote, and Taylor with 46 percent, after 43 percent of the overall precincts reported.
For the non-partisan judicial post for Supreme Court Justice, Jim Rice received 5,816 votes, with 1,797 non-votes or "under votes" -- ballots voters didn't mark for this position.
Justice John Warner received 5,836 votes, with 1,809 under-votes in Lake County.
Twentieth Judicial District Judge Kim Christopher received 6,382 votes, with 1,678 under-votes, to retain her seat as district judge.
Senate and House Districts
For Senate District 8 voters, Democrat Carol Juneau received 1,173 votes to Libertarian Maria Folsom's 388 votes, and Long Standing Bear Chief's (I) 282 votes. In Flathead county, Juneau had a sizable lead with 1,200 votes to Folsom's 366. However, that district encompasses areas in four other counties, so there are many outstanding votes to be tallied.
In Senate District 5, another overlapping district, Verdell Jackson received 484 votes to Ric Smith's 503 in Lake County, but in Flathead County -- where Jackson lives -- he had 2,541 votes to Smith's 1,473, and Jackson appears to be the winner.
In House District 9, Edd Blackler (D) received 443 votes to Republican Bill Jones' 538. Jones had a large lead of 1,025 votes to Blackler's 555 in Flathead County in preliminary election results there.
In House District 11, incumbent Janna Taylor (R) received 1,459 votes to Democratic challenger Denise Peterson's 998, and Taylor had 439 votes to Peterson's 178 in Flathead County.
Non-partisan and unopposed races
For Justice of the Peace, incumbent Chuck Wall won reelection over Lonnie Dean Erickson by a margin of 5,892 to 2,163.
In House District 15, Joey Jayne (D), incumbent, received 1,541 votes, with 388 under or non-votes received.
County Commissioner, District 3, Paddy Trusler received 6,847 votes with 1,651 under votes, or non-votes.
Clerk and Recorder, Auditor, Public Administrator, and Surveyor Ruth Hodges (D) received 6,992 votes and 1,755 under votes.
Sheriff/Coroner Lucky Larson (R), received 7,489 votes, with another 1,122 voters abstaining.
County Attorney Mitch Young (R) got 6,669 votes with 1,912 under votes, to take the position vacated by Bob Long.
Superintendent of Schools Gale Decker (R) received 7,182 votes with 1,464 under votes.
Treasurer/Assessor Patti Duford Kugler (R) received 6,870 with 1,773 under votes.
County and Study Commission issues
For County Ballot Issue #1, 4,526 voters chose to keep the existing form -- with partisan election of county officers such as the Sheriff -- versus 3,306 voters, who voted to have non-partisan elections.
On County Ballot Issue #2, 4,591 voters chose to keep the existing form -- with at-large election of county commissioners -- versus 3,261 voters who wanted to elect commissioners by district.
In the Arlee bond issues, 332 voters approved the $2.8 million elementary district bond, with 204 voting against, while 330 voted "yes" for the $1.4 million high school bond, and 205 voted against.
Amendment, Initiative issues
Locally, 5,376 voters voted against CA 43 -- for changing the name of state auditor to insurance commissioner -- while 2,682 voted in favor, and that percentage was reflected in statewide voting.
Voters approved CI 151, for raising the minimum wage to $6.15 per hour plus an annual cost of living adjustment, with 6,355 voting in favor and 2,155 voting against, and 73 percent of voters statewide approved the measure in preliminary returns.
For CI 153, which would prohibit certain former state officials and staff from lobbying within 24 months of leaving state government, 6,176 voters were in favor of it while 2,111 were not, and 76 percent of voters statewide approved the measure in early returns.
The Leader will have full official results for all races in next week's edition, assuming they are available.
Who did Rick Jore beat, from what Party?
What state? At least add it as a keyword and / or topic please.
Well, obviously, the one with Lake County.
Oh, how silly of me. Why, that would be ... all of them! :)
Democrat Jeanne Windham.
Montana. The state where the Libertarian party helped oust Talent.
Oops. I meant Tester. It's been a rough day, sorry.
You mean Burns.
Just noticed something here:
-For Clerk of the Supreme Court, incumbent Ed Smith (D) received 4,412 votes to challenger Ron Marquardt (C) with 2,814 and Howard Scott Butler (L) with 696.-
I googled the name “Ron Marquardt” for the Clerk of the Supreme Court and came up with a vote-usa.org listing that has his party as “Conservative Party” and links to the (British) Conservative Party?
http://www.vote-usa.org/Intro.aspx?Id=MTMarquardtRon
WTH?
Sweet. That's a bit of good news in a rainy post-election gloom.
...out of the ashes. Time for a new beginning I would think. Especially given GW Bush's treasonous admission last night regarding his willingness to work with democrats to sell out this nation on the borders issue.
I think it's funny that someone put "3rdPartyLosers" as a keyword. Bother to read the article?
Was this in Michigan?
Montana.
So the Constitution Party beat a Democrat!
I assume it was for a State Seat.
Congratulations to them.
All right.
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