 - Shoshoni Mayor Joel Highsmith lost his bid for re-election this week, earning the least amount of ballots cast in the mayoral primary: 50.){kind=link}
(Shoshoni, WY) – Shoshoni Mayor Joel Highsmith lost his bid for re-election this week, earning the least amount of ballots cast in the mayoral primary: 50.
Councilmember Jordan Whitener earned the most votes on Tuesday, at 74, while 61 people voted for Ron Ankeny.
Both Whitener and Ankeny will proceed to the general election in November.
Whitener posted a thank you message on Facebook this week, expressing gratitude for “everyone who supported me through this campaign – my family, friends, volunteers, supporters, and everyone who took the time to have a conversation with me, share their concerns, put up a sign, spread the word, or cast their vote.”
“To be the top vote-getter in the mayoral race, receiving nearly 40 percent of the vote, is an incredible honor, and I do not take that trust lightly,” Whitener said. “I am grateful for every vote, every conversation, every person who believes in what I bring to the table, and everyone who supports what I am trying to accomplish.”
He also took the opportunity to recognize Highsmith for his dedication to the town during his time as mayor.
“While it is openly known that we haven’t agreed on everything regarding our town and have had our differences … I can recognize the time he has put in, the effort he has given, the time spent away from his family, and the commitment he has made to Shoshoni,” Whitener said. “Over those eight years, the town has accomplished some big achievements, and those achievements should not be forgotten.”
On Wednesday, Highsmith said he was “disappointed” not to be re-elected, because he likes “a challenge” and is “concerned for the town.”
He wasn’t surprised about the outcome of the primary election, though.
“I got about the same amount of votes I anticipated, because I’ve done very little campaigning,” Highsmith said.
Instead, he said he prioritized the work he has been doing to bring a Wyoming Cardiopulmonary office to town – a project that he called a “game changer for Shoshoni.”
It is also a “pretty controversial” project, Highsmith said, and he “didn’t do a good enough job” explaining it to local residents in the lead-up to the primary.
He thanked those who voted for him regardless.
“I do appreciate the ones that stuck with me,” he said. “I appreciate the people that put their trust in me.”
Moving forward, Highsmith said he plans to continue working on the Wyoming Cardiopulmonary project – hopefully with the support of the person who is elected mayor.
“That’s what I’m working towards,” he said. “I’m real passionate about that. … I think it’s so important for Shoshoni and our region to get that service.”
Ankeny also thanked those who voted for him in the primary this week.
“It’s not over yet, of course,” he said, anticipating additional candidate forums or debates with Whitener in the future and predicting that the “outcome” of the race will be largely dependent on “the voters that vote in the General that didn’t vote in the Primary – (and) on the people who supported Joel Highsmith.”
Council
Four people ran in the primary election for two open seats on the Shoshoni Town Council, and all four will proceed to the General Election.
Incumbent Jacob Z. Stetler earned the most votes in the primary, however, at 108, and incumbent Tammie A. Hardtke came in second with 76.
Linda Manz wasn’t far behind Hardtke with 73 votes, and Jennifer Y. Schanno earned 35.
Follow County 10’s election coverage here.