Voter support for emergency communications is strong Hyer leads Miller in Primary results

POMEROY––Incumbent Sheriff Drew Hyer received about a hundred more votes than challenger Kurt Miller, and Garfield County voters approved Proposition No. 1 to fund emergency communication systems and facilities, results from the August 2 Primary Election showed.

Voter turnout in Garfield County was 52.47%, with 893 ballots counted as of the election deadline, with an estimated 35 remaining to be counted, preliminary results indicated.

Proposition No. 1 saw an overwhelming 71.8% approval, 588 casting yes votes to 230 opposed.

Proposition No. 1 was placed on the ballot when the Board of County Commissioners determined that funding for emergency communication systems and facilities require “more stable and consistent funding.” If approve, a sales and use tax at a rate of two-tenths of one percent (2¢ on every $10, would be collected and used to provide the county with emergency communications systems and facilities.

Both Hyer and Miller, Republicans, will move on to the General Election in November.  Hyer received 480 votes and 55.17% versus Miller’s 383 votes and 44.02%.

Garfield County voters favored U.S. Senate candidate Tiffany Smiley with 502 votes and 58.71%, compared to incumbent Democrat Patty Murray’s 201 votes and 23.51%. Statewide, Murray received 557,978 and 54% of the vote. Smiley will face Murray in the General, having received 330,176 votes, or 31.96%.

Republican Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers captured 70.97% of county votes. Democrat Natasha Hill received 134 votes. Districtwide, incumbent McMorris Rodgers, with 51% of the vote, will face Hill, who received 30%, in November.

District 9 Republican House of Representative incumbents Mary Dye of Pomeroy and Joe Schmick of Colfax both received nearly 98%.

Unopposed county candidates included:

Assessor: Brian S. Barrels, (R), votes.

Auditor: McKenzie Lueck, (NP), 767 votes.

Clerk: Marie Gormsen, (R), 747 votes.

Prosecutor: Matt L. Newberg, (R), 716 votes.

Treasurer: Tereasa Summers, (D), 681 votes.

Commissioner, District 3: Justin E. Dixon, (R), 242 votes.

Top vote getters in the Secretary of State in Garfield County were Bob Hagglund, Republican, 210 votes, 27.45%; and Keith L. Wagoner, Republican,  193 votes, 25.23%. Statewide, Democrat Steve Hobbs received 415,619 votes and 41.2%; and nonpartisan Julie Anderson, 129,616 votes and 12.85%.