Walt beats two-term supervisor

Public school teacher Molly Walt knocked off two-term incumbent Richard Staub in the race for Ward 4 supervisor Tuesday .

Walt, a 39-year-old wife and mother of four, beat Staub by taking 56 percent of the 21,213 votes cast in the race over Staub's 44 percent.

"I'm very excited," said Walt, a Carson Alternative Education teacher. "I'm very eager to get in there and get started."

Staub, a private attorney, ran unopposed for his current four-year term and got the most votes in the primary that narrowed the race to Walt and him.

He also raised more than Walt in fundraising overall, but Walt beat him in the most recent fundraising report.

Staub often had to defend his record in debates against those who said he was a "good old boy" and that the supervisors had mismanaged projects and finances.

Staub responded by pointing to his activity in local sports, education and business and how supervisors balanced the budget during a slow economy.

But Walt said a fresh voice who would work to help families, promote business and redevelop downtown is needed in Carson City.

She said she was honest and open with people whether she met them at one of her children's sports games or going door-to-door campaigning, and people responded to that.

"I worked hard," she said. "I worked hard on my campaign."

The five-member board of supervisors is the governing body of Carson City. Supervisors make between $22,000 and $27,000 a year.

Staub could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

Aldean wins second term

Incumbent Shelly Aldean held off challenger Dennis Johnson in the race for Ward 2 supervisor to win her second term.

Aldean, a broker and developer, beat Johnson with 54 percent of the 20,466 votes cast in the race over his 46 percent.

She said Tuesday that she was happy that Carson City voters have confidence in her, and she looks forward to continuing her work on the board.

Aldean was a appointed as supervisor in 2003 after the supervisor in office died. She was elected to her first four-year term in 2004.

Aldean, 52, has named fiscal discipline, fighting gangs and drugs and diversifying the city's economy as priorities.

Johnson, a consultant, said that democracy is the system Americans live by, and he respects that.

"We did what we did, and the voters spoke," he said.

- Contact reporter Dave Frank at dfrank@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.