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Updated Thursday, unofficial results of Tuesday’s primary election in Carson City show mayoral candidates Lori Bagwell and Jim Shirk likely headed to the general election in November, and Justice and Municipal Court Department 2 candidate Melanie Bruketta poised to win the seat outright.
Carson City Clerk-Recorder Scott Hoen estimated more than 1,715 mail ballots outstanding that can be counted through Saturday. Those ballots, however, must have been postmarked before or on Election Day. Results aren’t official until certified by the Board of Supervisors, set for June 21.
As of Thursday, the Appeal’s print deadline, Mayor Bagwell had garnered 4,305 votes or about 45 percent, according to the clerk-recorder’s office. Former Supervisor Jim Shirk had 3,011 votes or about 32 percent. More than 50 percent of votes are needed to win the primary without having the top two candidates go to the general. The city offices are nonpartisan.
“I am encouraged by these results, and grateful for the support of so many voters,” Bagwell, who is seeking her second term as mayor, told the Appeal. “I look forward to meeting residents and focusing on the issues that are important to them. Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote.”
Bagwell could still pull out and win the primary if enough votes in her favor are counted through Saturday.
Shirk was thankful for the support.
“June 11 had two very important issues. The first — it was my 19th bronze wedding anniversary. The second — I have family and many friends to thank for their support and assistance in the election process. I thank the many voters who supported me. I am very proud to live here in Carson City, and as your mayor I will promote city planning and growth that are consistent with our rural small-city charm and be sustainable within available resources and infrastructure.”
Bruketta received 4,956 votes or roughly 56 percent. If her lead stands through the weekend, she will win the seat for Justice and Municipal Court Department 2.
“Based on the current trend in the primary election results, I am humbled by the trust in those who supported me, and I look forward to serving as Justice of the Peace in Department 2,” Bruketta said. “I intend to continue the excellent work of Judge Luis and Judge Tatro. I am excited to work alongside Judge Armstrong. Each of the judges who have served in the First Judicial District Court since 1995 have been a mentor and colleague to me.
“Our community deserves a legal system that is accessible, accountable, and compassionate. I want to thank the community for entrusting me with this important role. Additionally, I want to thank everyone in Carson City for voting and their commitment to ongoing justice within our community. Lastly, I want to acknowledge and thank my opponents in this race — Tyson League and Daniel Spence. Campaigning is not an easy endeavor, and it requires a great deal of courage, dedication, and sacrifice. I commend them both for running outstanding campaigns.”
League came in second for the justice of the peace race with 2,731 votes or about 31 percent as of Thursday.
"It has been an honor to run for this position. I respect the choice of the voters, however the full results turn out. Regardless of the outcome, I look forward to continuing to serve Carson City,” said League, a deputy district attorney with the city.
Spence received 1,241 votes as of Thursday.
"Congratulations to Melanie Bruketta; she ran a great campaign,” Spence said. “I am excited to see her on the bench and wish the best for her.”
For Carson City School Board District 7, Michelle Pedersen was just shy of clinching the 50+1 percent needed for the seat. She received 4,182 votes or 48 percent as of Thursday. John Henley was in second with 2,259 votes followed closely by Joy Trushenski (2,211 votes). It was unclear Thursday which candidates would move on to the general with Pedersen, or if Pedersen could win the seat outright.
Nevada Assemblyman P.K. O’Neill, R-District 40, earned 3,814 votes from Carson City as of Thursday versus challenger Drew Ribar’s 1,040. In partisan races, the top vote-earner continues to November against the opposing party, and the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office had O’Neill winning more than 77 percent of the total vote (including Washoe and Storey counties).
“I am very happy with the results,” O’Neill told the Appeal. “I greatly appreciate the support and the confidence the voters have shown in the job that not only I have done, but the Assembly Republican Caucus and the governor have done for our state. Hopefully, we’ll carry it forward into the general and the next legislative session.”
O’Neill is set to face Democrat challenger Katherine Ramsey in the general.
Also appearing in the general because no primary was needed will be Mark Krueger and Kristin Luis for First Judicial District Court Department 2 (Luis was temporarily appointed to the seat by Gov. Joe Lombardo), Supervisor Lisa Schuette against challenger Lucia Maloney for Board of Supervisors Ward 4, and incumbent Mike Walker against challenger Ashliee Saucedo for Carson City School Board District 5.
Rebecca Roberts is running unopposed for Carson City School Board District 2, and Ward 2 Supervisor Maurice White and Justice of the Peace Thomas Armstrong (Department 1) are also running unopposed.
Carson City Primary Election Results as of Friday afternoon:
Mayor
Lori Bagwell 5105 46%
Jim Shirk 3440 31%
Devan Doan 1046 9%
Jason Hastings 1152 10%
William Maher 438 4%
Total votes 11483
Carson City Justice and Municipal Court Department 2
Melanie Bruketta 5902 56%
Tyson League 3173 30%
Daniel Spence 1416 13.5%
Total votes 10491
Carson City School Board District 7
Michelle Pedersen 4962 49%
John Henley 2692* 26.5%
Joy Trushenski 2514* 24.7%
Total votes 8652
* Too close to call
Carson City numbers:
Nevada State Assembly District 40 (Republican)
P.K. O’Neill 4331
Drew Ribar 1175
Total votes 5506
Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents District 9
Carol Del Carlo 6110
Bret Delaire 1871
Gary Johnson 1850
Total votes 9831
Nevada State Board of Education District 2
Matthew Buehler 1866
Paul “Doc” Davis 2151
Dorzell King Jr. 900
Angela Orr 4931
Total votes 9848
U.S. Congress District 2 (Republican)
Mark Amodei 3651
Fred Simon 2024
Total votes 5675
U.S. Senate (Democrat)
Jacky Rosen 3659
Mike Schaefer 63
Troy Zakari Walker 84
None 87
Total votes 3893
U.S. Senate (Republican)
Sam Brown 3358
Bill Conrad 179
Walter Grady Jr. 741
Jeff Gunter 570
E.T. Hamilton 10
Ronda Kennedy 53
Barry C. Lindemann 20
Garn Mabey 49
Jim Merchant 305
Gary Marinch 7
Stephanie Phillips 78
Vincent Rego 17
None 340
Total votes 5727
Statewide numbers: (as of Thursday afternoon)
Nevada State Assembly District 40 (Republican)
P.K. O’Neill 4835 77%
Drew Ribar 1417 23%
Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents District 9
Carol Del Carlo 22030 57.5%
Gary Johnson 9010 24%
Bret Delaire 7264 19%
Nevada State Board of Education District 2
Angela Orr 47883 49%
Paul “Doc” Davis 20371 21%*
Matthew Buehler 19887 20%*
Dorzell King Jr. 9358 9%
U.S. Congress District 2 (Republican)
Mark Amodei 38748 64%
Fred Simon 21508 36%
U.S. Senate (Democrat)
Jacky Rosen 136015 92%
Troy Z. Walker 5,454 3.7%
None 3,755 2.5%
Mike Schaefer 3392 2.3%
U.S. Senate (Republican)
Sam Brown 96,624 60%
Jeff Gunter 24,105 15%
Jim Merchant 10,616 6.5%
Walter Grady Jr. 8791 5.5%
None 6640 4%
Bill Conrad 5732 3.6%
Stephanie Phillips 3531 2.2%
Garn Mabey 1732 1%
Ronda Kennedy 1673 1%
Barry C. Lindemann 810 .5%
E.T. Hamilton 441 .27%
Vincent Rego 291 .18%
Gary Marinch 222 .14%