Independent wins

Randal "Doc" Wendling successfully earned a seat with the Sweetwater County Commissioners last night, securing more than 5,000 votes cast in the election.

The independent candidate's victory resulted in Democrat Gary Bailiff being edged out of the board of county commissioners, According to unofficial election results from the Sweetwater County Clerk's Office, Wending and Republican incumbent John Kolb were separated by 49 votes. Kolb earned the most votes with 5,183 while Wendling earned 5,134 votes.

A very tight race developed between the two incumbent Democrats, Bailiff and Reid West as a result of Kolb and Wendling's election returns. Ultimately, West received 4,914 votes and secured a second term as a county commissioner while Bailiff received 4,857 votes.

The other two campaigning in the election were Robert Hermann, who received 3,945 votes, and outgoing Green River Mayor Hank Castillon, who received 3,383 votes.

In regards to Wendling, a legal challenge may come up involving his election as both a commissioner and a member of the Sweetwater County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees. During the Sweetwater County Commissioner forum last week, an issue was raised with Wendling attempting to run for both positions despite an opinion issued by the Wyoming Attorney General's Office that claims a person cannot function on an elected board that receives money from another elected board the person is a member of. According to Sweetwater County Clerk Dale Davis, the commissioners set the mill levies collected for the school districts, which is the issue stemming from Wendling's election to both positions.

"You live by the vote, you die by the vote," Bailiff said after the absentee ballots were tallied.

Bailiff said he doubts that he would try seeking election again in two years, believing "the writing is on the wall for a Democrat."

Hermann said the experience was a positive one for him despite his loss. He said the other candidates competing for the commissioners spots were gracious after the results were compiled.

"John (Kolb) came up to me and shook my hand," Hermann said. "He was pretty good about it."

Kolb said he was pleased with earning his second four-year term after all the effort and hard work involved with running a campaign.

Kolb also thanked his supporters and said he would continue to represent all residents within Sweetwater County, not just the people who re-elected him.