Myles Getto, a newcomer to Churchill County politics, defeated Tom Riggins for the commission’s District 2 seat.
The Fallon native received 1,592 votes (40.38%) to Riggins 1,322 (33.53%). Rounding out the four-candidate field were Kenneth Harmon with 715 votes and Tanya Freeman, 314. Since all the candidates were Republicans, no voting in the general election will occur.
Myles Getto
The Churchill County Clerk’s Office reported 5,426 out of 15,469 registered Republicans voted in this year’s primary election compared to 37.4% in 2020.
The 22-year-old Getto has been serving on the county’s planning board. He said his work on the commission prepared him for the election.
“I knew it was going to be close,” Getto said. “I knocked on a lot of doors and I credit that to my win.”
Getto said many voters didn’t disagree with his stance on county issues, but they were concerned a 22-year-old was seeking the office. He said many older voters saw a good candidate, while others were hesitant on his age.
Nevertheless, he said Candidates Night sponsored by the Lahontan Valley News, The Fallon Post, Lahontan Valley Broadcasting and the Churchill County Republican Central Committee allowed candidates to answer complex questions. The Churchill Entrepreneurial Development Association breakfast, according to Getto, allowed him and the other candidates to concentrate on growth, water issues and agriculture.
Before he ran for office, Getto said he wanted to be the voice for agriculture when he filed.
Dr. Greg Koenig defeated Vida Keller of Silver Springs for Assembly District 38. The opening for the Assembly seat occurred when Dr. Robin Titus decided to seek the State Senate 17 office being vacated by termed out Sen. James Settelmeyer.
Since both candidates are Republicans and no Democrats were running for District 38, Koenig emerges as the winner over Keller, who serves on the Lyon County Commission.
Dr. Greg Koenig
Koenig, a Fallon optometrist, captured 57.09% of the vote compared to Keller’s 42.91%. Final vote counts showed Koenig winning big in Churchill County and almost breaking even in Lyon County. He received 5,739 votes compared to Keller’s 4,314.
In the two key counties, Koenig, a former school board trustee, doubled his opponent’s vote count, 2,640 to 1,306. In neighboring Lyon County, Keller edged Koenig, 2,449 to 2,422. Mineral and northern Nye County residents cast the majority of their votes for Koenig, while tiny Esmeralda cast its 133 votes to Keller and 78 to Koenig.
“I’m excited to get out there and to get to work representing the district,” Koenig said. “I’m pleased with the support Churchill County gave to me.”
Koenig said he was also pleased to receive 50% of the Lyon County vote and to capture the majority of votes from Mineral County and northern Nye, which presents a portion of Tonopah.
Gov. Steve Sisolak will appoint Koenig’s replacement later this year.
Because of the high number of mailed-in ballots, Douglas County will have a better idea on the final vote count for State Senate 17 and Assembly District 39.
According to Douglas County Clerk/Treasurer Any Burgan, her office had more than 1,500 ballots left to process. She said the Douglas County Commission will canvas the votes on Friday.
Robin Titus
Earlier this week, Titus led Jim Wheeler, current assemblyman for District 39, by fewer than 1,000 votes. Titus leads in Lyon and Churchill counties but trails Wheeler in Douglas County, 6,457 votes to 4,926. In Churchill, Titus maintains a lead 2,625 to 1,344 votes, and in Lyon County, she leads 4,776 to 3,805 votes.
Titus figures she needs at least 40% of the Douglas County vote but would prefer 41%. On Monday, she had 43.8%, while Wheeler led with 56.7%. Since both candidates are Republicans and no Democrats filed, the winner moves on to the State Senate.
Titus, who was first elected to the Assembly in 2014, said she was shocked and surprised a political mailer was sent out accusing her of being a baby killer.
“That was appalling,” she said.
Titus said the flyer was a Hail Mary from her opponent’s campaign.
“It’s unfortunate it happened,” she added.
For the latest statewide results, go to https://silverstateelection.nv.gov.
