Filing period wraps up with several contested races
6 running for 3 commission seats, 7 vying for 2 council seats
Friday was the deadline for candidates to file for elected county, town and statewide seats. While a multitude of incumbents at all levels filed to run for re-election, quite a few of them have competition in what could be hotly contested races.
Board of County Commissioners
In the Teton County Board of County Commissioners race, which sets the county budget and makes land-use decisions, there are six candidates for three open seats.
Two incumbents — Mark Newcomb (D) and Luther Propst (D) — will run again. However, former Jackson Mayor and current Commissioner Mark Barron (R) won’t run for re-election.
New hopefuls include four male Republicans: Alex Muromcew, Kasey Mateosky, Peter Long, and Tom Segerstrom.
Jackson Town Council (Non-partisan)
The Jackson Town Council race could be lively, as seven people are vying for only two seats, including the incumbents who currently hold those seats.
Vice Mayor Arne Jorgensen and Councilor Jonathan Schechter are running to retain the council seats they currently hold after one term each.
But they have competition, with Devon Viehman, a local Realtor who narrowly lost out on a council seat in the 2020 election, Elliott R. Alston, Joel Smith, Katherine “Kat” Rueckert, and David Scheurn, who have all filed for the open spots on Town Council.
State races
Incumbents in all state seat positions in Teton County are facing challengers across the aisle.
House District 23 is currently held by Andy Schwartz (D), who will not run again. Looking to follow in Schwartz’s footsteps are Paul Vogulheim (R), Ryan Sedgeley (D) and Elizabeth Storer (D).
Andrew Byron (R) will run for House District 22, currently held by Jim Roscoe (I). Roscoe said he wasn’t sure if he’d run again. As an Independent, he has until Aug. 29 to file if he collects 5,418 signatures.
Incumbent Mike Yin (D) will run for House District 16. He’ll be up again Jim McCollum (R) in November’s general election.
As for Teton County’s two Senate districts, incumbent Mike Gierau (D) will face Steve Duerr (R) in the general election. In Senate District 17, incumbent Dan Dockstader (R) is running for Secretary of State. If he wins, someone will be appointed to his seat. If he loses, he can keep his seat.
Other Teton County positions
Five of seven county positions up for election have no challengers.
County Clerk Maureen “Mo” Murphy (R) will run again unopposed, as will County Coroner Brent “Doc” Blue (D), County Attorney Erin Weisman (D), County Sheriff Matt Carr (D), and County Treasurer Katie Smits (R).
That leaves the positions with challengers to be Clerk of District Court, with incumbent Anne Comeaux Sutton (D) against Brian Hultman (D); and County Assessor, with incumbent Melissa “Mel” Shinkle (D) running against Zane Aukee (D). Both of those races will be decided in the August primary election, with no Republicans vying for the positions.
— Read this coming week’s edition of the Jackson Hole News&Guide for more on the races and candidates, or visit www.JHNewsAndGuide.com on Wednesday.