Sanpete Republican primary certified: Mower, Hanks are winners
MANTI—The Sanpete County Commission unanimously certified the results of the June 23 Republican primary election during its July 7 meeting, officially confirming victories for AJ Mower in the County Commission Seat A race and Linda Hanks in the State School Board District 14 contest.
According to the certified canvass, 4,174 ballots were cast from 10,731 registered Republican voters, resulting in a 38.9% voter turnout.
Mower defeated Jonnie R. Carter in the Republican primary for Seat A, receiving 2,645 votes to Carter’s 1,513. In the State School Board District 14 race, Hanks received 2,961 votes, defeating Nichole Beecher Isom, who received 1,068 votes.
County Clerk Linda Christiansen presented the canvass report to commissioners, noting that the county recorded “just under a 39% voter turnout.”
The report showed that 4,067 ballots were returned by mail or drop box, 13 were cast during early in-person voting and 82 were cast on Election Day. Eleven provisional ballots were counted, while 14 provisional ballots were rejected because the voters were not affiliated with the Republican Party.
Christiansen said 66 ballots were rejected after arriving past the Election Day deadline established under changes to state election law. She also reported that 42 ballots required signature review, with 14 ultimately remaining uncured and therefore not counted.
As part of the state’s post-election audit requirements, election workers hand-counted two randomly selected batches totaling 99 ballots. Christiansen said the manual count matched an audit of the tabulation equipment exactly.
“Their hand counts matched the tabulation of the machine, which is the purpose of the audit,” she said.
Election officials also conducted a signature audit on 82 ballots, with reviewers agreeing on each signature determination.
Commissioner Mike Bennett, who assisted with the election process, praised the safeguards in place during the canvass discussion.
“Having helped with the election this year, it would probably be easier to break into Fort Knox than do anything with the election in Sanpete County,” Bennett said.
Mower outraises Carter in GOP primary race
MANTI—Republican primary winner AJ Mower raised and spent nearly twice as much campaign money as opponent Jonnie Carter in the race for Sanpete County Commission Seat A, according to campaign finance reports filed with Sanpete County Clerk Linda Christensen.
Mower reported receiving $11,000 in campaign contributions during the two campaign reporting periods. He spent $7,783.19 and finished the reporting period with $2,544.96 in cash on hand after beginning with a negative balance of $671.85.
Carter reported $6,229.48 in campaign contributions and an equal amount in expenditures. His report listed a beginning balance of $299.98, a subtotal of $6,529.46 and an ending cash balance of $299.98.
Overall, Mower raised $4,770.52 more than Carter during the campaign. Mower’s report listed contributions from 27 individuals, couples and businesses. Carter reported contributions from seven individuals and companies and also loaned his campaign $2,547.96.
Mower defeated Carter in the Republican primary for the Seat A commission race. He is unopposed in the November general election, with no Democratic or other party candidate filing for the seat.
In other uncontested county races, Christensen, County Attorney Kevin Daniels, Commissioner Jim Cheney and County Auditor Stacey Lyon reported no campaign contributions or expenditures.
Sanpete County Sheriff Jared Buchanan, who is also unopposed, reported no campaign contributions but listed $885.96 in expenditures for his filing fee, campaign materials and a booth at the Republican Party convention in April.
Campaign finance reports are available on the elections page of the Sanpete County Clerk’s Office website.