JOAN BARRON and JARED MILLER Star-Tribune capital bureau | Posted: Thursday, November 9, 2006 12:00 am
CHEYENNE - Reporting problems in Laramie County caused confusion Tuesday night in the race for Cheyenne's House District 12 seat between Republican Amy Edmonds and Democrat Leo Garcia.
Initial results showed Garcia, a 74-year-old former lawmaker, the winner with all precincts reporting. Later results showed Edmonds winning the race with a final tally of 1,125 to 1,107.
Deputy election clerk Dawn Fisbeck confirmed Wednesday that Edmonds, a 35-year-old homemaker, is the unofficial winner. Fisbeck said initial results did not include absentee ballots, which gave Edmonds a slight edge. House District 12 encompasses southwestern Cheyenne and a portion of Laramie County.
In the contest for House District 8 in north Cheyenne, Democratic newcomer Lori Millin polled nine votes more than Republican incumbent Larry Meuli, triggering an automatic recount.
With all precincts reporting, Millin polled 1,956 votes, compared with 1,947 votes for Republican incumbent Larry Meuli. The physician was seeking his sixth term. It was the 37-year-old Millin's first try for political office.
Republican Sen. Curt Meier of LaGrange, meanwhile, fended off a strong challenge from Democrat Chris Shoults to win re-election in Senate District 3 in Platte and Goshen counties.
With all 23 precincts reporting, Meier polled 3,406 votes to 2,806 for Shoults, according to unofficial election returns.
Meier a 53-year-old rancher, is a 12-year Senate veteran.
Cheyenne Police Chief Bob Fecht, a Republican, won a landslide victory over Democrat Randall Lane to claim state Senate District 5, according to unofficial results.
The 3,793-2,346 tally caps a long race for Fecht, 52, who defeated six candidates in the primary election and mounted an aggressive general election effort. The district encompasses west Cheyenne and parts of unincorporated Laramie County.
Republican Rep. David Zwonitzer defeated Democrat Sleeter Dover in the House District 9 race. The final tally was 1,659 to 1,269.
Zwonitzer, a 53-year-old auctioneer and small business owner, was appointed to the position in May after the previous representative moved to another district. Dover is a former director of the Wyoming Department of Transportation.
Zwonitzer said the large margin of victory was a surprise. He said his experience as a small businessman may have made the difference with voters.
Democrat Floyd Esquibel, who has served 10 years representing House District 44 in southwest Cheyenne, will serve another term.
With all precincts reporting, Esquibel, a 68-year-old part-time attorney, defeated two-to-one his Republican challenger, David McCleary, 1,067 votes to 519.
His younger brother, Ken Esquibel, was elected to House District 41 in Cheyenne.
Ken Esquibel defeated Republican David Bush, a 30-year-old executive. The final tally was 1,731 to 1,360. District 41 comprises a large portion of north-central Cheyenne.
Ken Esquibel said he wants to work with Republicans to move the state in a "progressive direction."
In the House District 11 race in east Cheyenne, Democrat Mary Throne, an attorney, skated to an easy win over her Republican opponent, student Roman Hildt. With all precincts in, Throne polled 1,539 votes to 1,004 votes for Hildt.
Political newcomer Throne said the secret of her win was simply knocking on doors.