Mink wins in Washington County
Wednesday, November 8, 2006 10:42 AM PST
Jennifer Colton | Argus Observer
Weiser
Washington County residents approved two local measures and gave Roy Mink a victory in the County Commissioner District No. 3 race Tuesday.
Most Washington County candidates ran unopposed, but Republican incumbent Roy Mink won in a landslide against Democratic opponent Esther M. Smith, 2,407 votes to 800 in the Washington County Commissioner District No. 3 race.
The slot also gained the only write-in votes on the county ballot with 32.
“I look forward to working another four years,” Mink said. “I appreciate people's confidence in me, and I will do the best I can.”
Incumbent Robert E. Thomason reclaimed his county coroner position.
A measure to allow the Weiser Hospital District to restructure short-term debt into long-term debt passed overwhelmingly - 2,056 votes to 614.
“Certainly I believe the hospital is an integral part of our community,” Mink said. The Weiser Cemetery Maintenance District measure also passed, 1,653 to 948, allowing for the creation of the district and a tax levy to fund it.
“I voted against it,” Jack Brown, Weiser Flat resident, said Tuesday night. “That's (the cemetery) the city's responsibility. If it passes, I'll be disappointed. If it doesn't pass, I'll be thrilled. If it passes, there's nothing you can do but pay your taxes.” In the one federal election on the ballot, House of Representatives District No. 1, the majority of Washington County voters chose Republican Bill Sali, 1,865 votes, against Larry Grants 1,305 votes.
In state races, Washington County voters pushed Republicans to victory in every seat, often doubling the votes for their Democratic counterparts, following a statewide trend.
With 2,142 votes, C.L. “Butch” Otter, Republican, came through in the governor position, receiving almost double the 1,185 votes of Democrat candidate Jerry Brady.
The Lieutenant Governor race ended with current governor Jim Risch amassing 2,251 votes against Larry LaRocco's, 1,062. Lawrence G. Wasden, also a Republican, defeated Robert “Bob” Wallace for the Attorney General slot. Washington County followed the statewide trend, electing Republicans Donna M. Jones and Ron G. Crane into slots for state controller and state treasurer respectively. In the closest candidate race at Washington County polls, Superintendent of Public Instruction went to Tom Luna, Republican, 1,870 votes, over Jana Jones, 1,458 votes. In Washington County, Proposition 1, failed by a nearly two-to- one margin, and Proposition 2, allowing eminent domain, failed 2,372 votes to 973.
An amendment declaring marriage as between a man and a woman passed two to one, and an endowment fund amendment squeaked by with 1,657 “yes” votes and 1,322 “no” votes.
Numbers will not be confirmed until this afternoon, but Mink said the voting percentage in Washington County seems higher than in previous years.
“I find it great that more people were interested in voting and took the time to go out and vote and support the American system,” Mink said.
