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Voters have chosen Jeff Hurd as the Republicans nominee for Colorado’s Third Congressional District (CD3). He will face Democratic challenger Adam Frisch in November in the race to represent the Western Slope.
Even with United States Rep. Lauren Boebert’s move out of the district, CD3 remains one of the most contested seats in the upcoming general election. Six candidates entered the Republican race this year, but few pulled ahead in the crowd. Frisch, who was narrowly defeated by Boebert in 2022, led in fundraising across party lines.
Hurd is an attorney and former president of the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce. At the polls, Hurd rose above former state Rep. Ron Hanks who described himself as the only “pro-Trump, America first,” and the “most conservative” candidate in the race. The Colorado Republican Party endorsed Hanks in May.
Hurd received 42% of the vote, while Hanks received 28%. The other four candidates —Stephen Varela, Lew Webb, Russ Andrews and Curtis McCrackin — received less than 10% each.
In Gunnison County, Hurd received 568 votes (45%), with Hanks trailing behind with 329 votes (26%), according to unofficial results on Wednesday morning. Of the 27 Western Slope counties in CD3, 19 elected Hurd. Frisch, an Aspen business and city councilman, ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Voters also selected party candidates for House of Representatives District 58.
Former Delta County Commissioner and cattle rancher J. Mark Roeber received the Republican nomination with 62% of the vote, besting opponent Larry Don Suckla of Montezuma County at 38%. Democrat and Gunnison local Kathleen Curry ran unopposed.
With 2,800 ballots cast, voter turnout in Gunnison County for the primaries was 24%.
This summer, all of the Gunnison County commissioner candidates ran unopposed within their respective parties. Democratic incumbents Liz Smith and Jonathan Houck will face Republican candidates Lisa Henry and Steve Bathje in November during the general election. Commissioner Laura Puckett Daniels’ term will not expire until 2026.
GCEA results
Results are in for the 2024 Gunnison County Electric Association Board of Directors election, which concluded on June 18. With 542 votes (36.6%) Frank Stern will fill the District 7 “at large” seat. Edward Howard received 513 votes (34.7%) and Shannon Hessler received 424 votes (28.7%). Polly Oberosler ran unopposed and will represent District 6.
Just under 1,500 valid ballots were cast, which is 16.5% of the 9,000 eligible members.
Stern and Oberosler will begin their three-year terms immediately.
(Bella Biondini can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or bella@gunnisontimes.com.)