Carson City Supervisor incumbent Lisa Schuette and other candidates greeted members of the public on Election Day outside the Carson City Community Center as they came to vote on Tuesday.
Photo by Jessica Garcia.
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The majority of Carson City voters appear to have embraced the current composition of the Board of Supervisors even as they shot down two tax proposals to fund local roads.
Preliminary results released by the Clerk-Recorder’s Office on Tuesday night show incumbent Mayor Lori Bagwell with a large lead along with incumbent Ward 4 Supervisor Lisa Schuette.
Near-final election results are expected Nov. 10, the day after mail ballots can be received by the Clerk-Recorder’s Office, though signature curing can run through Nov. 12.
Clerk-Recorder Scott Hoen said approximately 1,700 mail ballots were counted Wednesday, but updated results wouldn’t be released until 10 a.m. Thursday. He estimated there were 700 outstanding mail ballots to be counted and 1,000-1,200 original uncorrected ballots, though he expected the latter number to decrease.
Bagwell garnered 13,565 votes as of Tuesday night, or 56.16 percent of the vote, compared to challenger Jim Shirk’s 10,590 votes, or 43.84 percent.
“I am incredibly grateful and honored to have earned the trust of the people of Carson City once again,” Bagwell told the Appeal. “Winning re-election as mayor is not just a personal achievement; it is a victory for our community, for every family, every business, and every individual who cares deeply about the future of our city. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every person who cast their vote, volunteered their time, or simply offered their support throughout this campaign.
“Your confidence in me means the world, and it fuels my dedication to continuing the work we've started together. We have built something special here in Carson City, and with your continued partnership, we will keep moving forward, making our city even better for generations to come. Thank you for this incredible opportunity to serve as your mayor. Let's get to work!”
Shirk told the Appeal he called Bagwell on Tuesday night and congratulated her.
“I told her, ‘I hope everything goes well for you, and Carson City does great,’” he said.
Shirk also thanked those who worked on his campaign, saying he was blessed to have them.
“I just want Carson City to do well regardless of who the mayor is,” he said. “It’s my hometown of 22 years. I love this place.”
In the race for Ward 4, Supervisor Lisa Schuette was in the lead with 13,289 votes, or 57.71 percent, versus challenger Lucia Maloney with 9,740 votes, or 42.29 percent.
“I’d like to thank everyone for your support and continued confidence,” Schuette said. “Carson City is a wonderful community; here’s to all of us working together to address challenges, create opportunities, and enhance quality of life for all our residents.”
Maloney said, “My committee ran a tremendous campaign, through and through.”
“We look forward to final results after all ballots are counted. Regardless of outcome, I am filled with gratitude for the wonderful conversations had with businesses and residents alike, and for the opportunity to participate in our election process,” she added.
In other races:
• Ward 2 Supervisor Maurice White, who ran unopposed, received 20,800 votes as of Tuesday.
• First Judicial District Court Department 2 Judge Kristin Luis also was poised to keep the seat she was temporarily appointed to by Gov. Joe Lombardo, though by a narrower margin than other local races. Luis had 13,728 votes as of Wednesday, or 53.28 percent, compared to challenger Mark Krueger’s 12,038 votes, or 46.72 percent. Those totals came from the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office and include Carson City and Storey County.
“I appreciate all the support I received throughout my campaign,” Luis said. “I have met so many great people throughout Carson City and Storey County, and it makes me proud to call this community my home. It has been an honor to serve as District Judge since January of this year, and I believe the final vote count will allow me to continue to serve this great community.”
Krueger could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
• Justice and Municipal Court Department 1 Judge Tom Armstrong, who ran unopposed, received 20,219 votes as of Tuesday.
The city offices are nonpartisan.
• Nevada Assembly District 40 incumbent P.K. O’Neill, the Republican minority leader, had a large lead as of Wednesday with 21,431 votes, or 62.68 percent, including preliminary totals from Carson City, Storey and a portion of Washoe County, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.
“I appreciate the support of those who voted for me and will continue to work on gaining the support of those that didn’t,” O’Neill told the Appeal. “It is an honor to represent Assembly District 40.”
Democrat challenger Katherine Ramsey had 12,760 votes, or 37.32 percent, as of Wednesday.
“While the margins currently do not show me as winning the Assembly seat this year, I am so blessed and better for having run this cycle,” Ramsey said. “Mr. O'Neill has shown himself to be fair-minded in his past work, and my hope is that he continues to work in the best interests of the public. I met people from every walk of life, multiple backgrounds and beliefs, all committed to building a better future. My advice to anyone taking the time to read this statement, is to know why you believe what you believe. To educate yourself, to question, to have civil debate, and to listen to logic.
“I will continue to make myself available as an asset to our community and look forward to running again in the next cycle. It isn't easy, but that's why it's called a fight. It was worth the fight.”
• Preliminary results also show voters rejected both road-funding city ballot questions — a proposed sales tax increase and a government services tax collected at the DMV — by double-digit margins.
Carson City Question No. 1 saw 8,228 “yes” votes, or 32.38 percent, versus 17,186 “no” votes, or 67.62 percent.
Carson City Question No. 2 saw 7,740 “yes” votes, or 30.44 percent, versus 17,684 “no” votes, or 69.56 percent.
“While we are, of course, disappointed in the outcome, we respect the will of Carson City voters and appreciate the opportunity to have engaged in this important dialogue about the future of our community’s local road infrastructure,” Bagwell said.
Carson City supervisors are scheduled to canvass of the vote at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 15 in the community center board room, 851 E. William St.