Last Tuesday proved to be a historic night in many cases as the 2018 Spring General Election came to a close. Aside from the youngest mayor in city history being elected over a two-term incumbent and the first-ever operating referendum in MAPS history being passed; history was written at the county level as well. Three of four contested races were decided by a combined 26 votes. In the 10th Supervisory District-Town of Pine River, challenger Jeremy Ratliff uprooted two-term incumbent Loretta Baughan by a mere six votes (169-163). The District 20 race was even tighter as challenger Dora Gorski pulled out an upset-win over three-term incumbent Carl Vander Sanden (163-159). But the books wouldn’t be closed there.
Last Thursday, both Baughan and Vander Sanden requested recounts, which were scheduled for Monday morning. In the District 10 recount, Ratliff’s victory was upheld as the original ballot count was validated. Things unfolded a bit differently in the District 20 recount, however. Prior to the recount, Vander Sanden indicated having been contacted by voters in his district and advised of being issued the wrong ballots, which did not have his or Gorski’s name. Three such ballots were confirmed to have been issued. One voter wrote-in Vander Sanden as their choice, while the other two ballots were submitted without a vote. As a result, Vander Sanden was credited with an extra vote, and the remaining original votes were validated; confirming Gorski the winner of the District 20 seat, 163-160.
The other contested county race in District 13 ended closely as well, as challenger Calvin Callahan took the seat from incumbent Kirby Crosby by 16 votes (75-59).
Ratliff, Gorski and Callahan will begin their two-year terms next Tuesday as they will take the oath of office at the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors Organizational Meeting set for 9 AM at the Lincoln County Service Center.