Twin Falls councilwoman and acting mayor Ruth Pierce claimed an easy win Tuesday in her reelection campaign, while a pair of newcomers, Grayson Stone and Cherie Vollmer, also earned wide margins of victory.
“I am thrilled and overwhelmed,” Pierce said of her victory, in which she gained 70% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of State’s Office, 2,174 votes to 930.
She faced Twin Falls Republican Central Committee precinct chairperson Connie Smith in the bid for Seat 7.
Pierce, who spoke to the Times-News by telephone as she watched the election results being tabulated at County West, said she wants the city to build on its momentum. It will be the third term on the city council for Pierce, who was appointed in 2022 for a two-year spot as mayor.
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The elected city council members choose the mayor and vice mayor among themselves.
Pierce, a certified public accountant, said she took nothing for granted during her campaign, and campaigned as if she was running behind.
She said she is looking forward to getting fresh ideas from Stone and Vollmer.
Stone won the race for Seat 2 by nabbing 64% of the vote over challenger Gerardo “Tato” Munoz Bryant, 1,958 votes to 1,080. He will assume the spot of Nikki Boyd, who didn’t to run for reelection.
One word sums up his victory, Stone said — “gratitude.”
At 34 years of age, he will be the youngest person on the council, but he said he will work hard to not let the community down.
“I am not taking anything for granted,” he said.
He gave credit to his challenger, and said Twin Falls would have had a solid city council person no matter who turned out victorious.
Stone, who works in commercial real estate, has also served on the city’s planning and zoning commission.
Vollmer defeated Liyah Babayan and Dakota Cardinet in the race for Seat 3, claiming 56% of the vote out of 3,099 votes cast.
She said she is eager to gain input from city residents about what direction the city should be headed in.
She said she hopes to improve infrastructure, in addition to making sure the city has adequate personnel.
“I am completely honored,” Vollmer said of the victory.
Councilman Craig Hawkins also was up for reelection for Seat 4, but ran without opposition.
Buhl
Of the six people running for two spots on the Buhl City Council, incumbents Kelly Peterson and Marla Sisson were the top two vote-getters, according to unofficial results.
Sisson had previously been appointed to the city council after serving on the planning and zoning commission and library board.
“I think the council wants to focus on fiscal responsibility,” she said, and will continue to look for grants for sidewalks and walking paths.
Sisson received 258 votes, and Peterson 227. Other candidates were Menno L. deRijk, Tim Miner, William Nungester and Denny O’Brien.
Hansen
Todd Stimpson won the race for Hansen mayor, securing 93 of 130 votes, or 71.5% of the votes cast in his victory over Tony Bohrn.
The incumbent, Joseph Ratto, declined to run for reelection.
Simpson said the city has challenges as it prepares for growth, as the sewer treatment plant needs upgrades. The 50-year-old plant is functioning fine at the moment, he said, but needs upgrades for growth.
As far as financing the improvements, “We have to look at everything we can,” Stimpson said.
Krystal Ray and Andres (Andy) West were elected to the city council. Tim Geerdes and Lena Ray were the other candidates.
Hollister
Three four-year seats were up for election in Hollister, and it ended up being a very tight contest, with Gloria Rorison, David A. Grosshans and Lynn Ginder getting the nods. Jennifer Hyde was the other candidate. Only four votes separated the top vote-getter and the bottom. A total of 165 votes were cast.
Kimberly
Stephanie D. Snarr and Burke Richman won spots on the Kimberly City Council. Snarr received 381 votes, or 42%, while Richman, who was reelected, got 339 votes, or 37%. The other candidate, Tim Daniels, received 183 votes, or 20.3%.
"I am honestly blown away and humbled by the voter’s support here in Kimberly," Snarr wrote to the Times-News. She said her door-to-door aspects of her campaign proved the most rewarding.
"As we look into 2024, focus will be on fulfilling my campaign promises as we all work together to build our community," she said. "I truly believe that in order to be a community, you have to get out there and be in the community."
Murtaugh
Yale Bessire and Kelly Roseborough won spots on the Murtaugh City Council, Bessire with 43%, or 16 of the 37 votes cast. Roseborough received 12 votes, and Kendal Henderson 9.
Twin Falls School District
Trustee Heidi Tubbs won in a landslide victory to retain her spot on Twin Falls School District Zone 2, gaining 309 votes, or 72%. Challenger Brad Breland received 115 votes.
Kimberly School District
Kimberly School District patrons voted to renew a $800,000 supplemental levy for another two years, 573 votes to 448. It needed a simple majority to pass.
Voters have supported the levy for more than a decade, and the current $800,000 annual levy expires June 30.
"For more than a decade, the levy funds have served as an essential bridge, bridging the gap between the state's funding and the actual operational costs required to run the district,: read a statement from the school district. "This success marks a crucial milestone in sustaining the district's educational standards and ensuring its continued growth and excellence."
Buhl School District
Incumbent Danielle Richardson narrowly lost to Jenny Hopkins in the race for Zone 4. Hopkins received 105 votes to Richardson’s 95.
Filer School District
For Zone 1, Tammy Kelly won 60% of the 164 votes cast, beating Shelley Carson, 99 to 65. For Zone 4, Jeff Volle defeated Jeni Taylor, 76 to 50.
The school district’s supplemental levy passed with 67% of the vote, 472 to 232. The measure is in the amount of $500,000 per year for two years.
Hansen Library
An override levy for the Hansen Community Library won 72% approval, with a vote of 136-52. The levy will be increased $30,000 for a new base budget of $88,557.