Incumbents sweep city races

It appears there will be no change at the dais at Hill City Hall, as all three incumbents came away with convincing wins during yesterday’s Primary Election. All results are unofficial at this time.

Tana Nichols will remain the Mayor of Hill City, as she cruised to victory over challenger Kathy Skorzewski, picking up 187 votes compared to Skorzewski’s 76.

In the race for alderman in Ward 1, Justin Thiry will remain on the council, defeating challenger Cheryl Honour by a vote of 102-54.

In the race for alderman in Ward 2, it was Dennis Siebert retaining his seat, defeating challenger John Johnson by a vote of 66-31.

All three will serve two-year terms.

“Thank you, Hill City. I am deeply humbled and overwhelmed by your trust in me for another term as mayor of Hill City,” Nichols said. “Thank you for choosing me to continue to lead our town toward the future we want to leave for our children and grandchildren. This victory is shared with the wonderful council members and staff that I have been blessed to work with the past two years.

“To my friends, neighbors and the entire Hill City community…thank you. To those of you who believed in me from the very beginning, your unwavering support made this victory possible. You have been my greatest strength. And to everyone who freely gives their time and talent on the various boards and special events, you are the people who make Hill City the greatest little community in the Hills. This victory is for all of us.”

In the race for a three-year term on the Pennington County Commission, Mike Mueller pulled ahead of Zach Bush on the Republican side by a vote of 2,267 to 1,648. Mueller advances to the November General Election, where he will face Independent Leslie Hladysz. This is a four-year term that is being vacated by Ron Rossknecht of Hill City, who did not seek reelection.

In the District 30 legislative races, incumbent Reps. Tim Goodwin and Trish Ladner took the lead with 3,708 and 3,450 votes, respectively, while fellow Republican challenger Steve Saint sat at 2,313 votes. Goodwin and Ladner will face Democrat Brett Swanson in the General Election in November.

In the District 30 Senate race, incumbent Amber Hulse handily defeated challenger Julie Frye-Mueller by a count of 4,139 to 2,084.

The race for Pennnington County Auditor was close, with Tina Mullally leading current auditor Sabrina Green by a vote count of 6,767 to 6,111.

The race to be the Republican candidate for governor in the General Election appears headed for a July 28 runoff. As of press time none of the candidates had received the required 35 percent of votes to avoid the runoff, with Toby Doeden in the lead with 41,791 votes, which constitutes 31 percent of the votes. Larry Rhoden was at 34,379 votes, while Dusty Johnson had 31,925 votes and Jon Hansen 28,390.

In the race for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Marty Jackley soundly defeated James Bialota, Jr., to advance to the General Election against Democrat Nikki Gronli. In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Mike Rounds defeated challenger Justin McNeal and will face Democrat Julian Beaudoin and Independent Brian Bengs in November.

Finally, Rob Timm beat Andrew Schock 208-155 for Hill City precinct committeeman for Pennington County, while Danica Allmer was ahead of Sara Heil for Hill City precinct committeewoman by a vote of 160-149.