Flitner wins House District 26 Republican nomination

WORLAND — Jamie Flitner of Greybull won the Republican nomination for State House District 26 by an overwhelming 70 percent of the vote in Big Horn County

House District 26, includes north Big Horn County and Greybull, Shell and Emblem and a small portion in Park County, had three Republican candidates vying for the open seat that is being vacated by retiring legislator Elaine Harvey.

Flitner earned 1,264 votes in Big Horn County to Timothy Mills’ 370. Philip Abromats garnered 159 votes. Flitner won all eight precincts in Big Horn County. She received 29 votes in Park County.

“I’m a little stunned, honored and overwhelmed by this support,” Flitner said Tuesday evening.

As for the support, Flitner said, “It gives me hope that we still have people who recognize there is middle ground and we do need to come together to find solutions rather than railing about state, federal and county governments.

“I tried to focus on the positive things I’ve been a part of and about my love for my state.”

“I want to thank Phil and Tim for running the race with them and I respect them for the campaigns they ran,” she added.

Flitner will face Democrat Jean Petty, who received 131 Big Horn County votes and Joyce Collins of the Constitution Party, who received 10 votes.

In looking forward, Flitner said, “I need to do a lot more homework. The Medicaid issue is huge for some people. Taxation issues are looming large. I want people to know I have no intention to impose new taxes.”

For House District 27 and 28, both the Republican and Democratic candidates were unopposed in Tuesday’s primary election.

Rep. Mike Greear is seeking his fourth term in the State House and won the Republican ticket Tuesday night with 1,692 votes. He will face a challenge by Worland resident Robert D. McDonough, the lone Democrat candidate. McDonough received 197 votes.

House District 27 includes all of Washakie County and Manderson and Hyattville in south Big Horn County. Greear received 125 votes, McDonough 5.

Rep. Nathan Winters was unopposed Tuesday for the Republican nomination to House District 28. He will face opposition in the Nov. 8 election by Democrat Howard Samelson who was also unopposed for his party’s nomination.

House District 28 includes Hot Springs County, Shoshoni and Lysite in Fremont County and Meeteetse in Park County and Basin, Burlington and Otto in Big Horn County.

Winters earned 584 votes in Big Horn County, Samelson 37; Winters received 1,116 in Hot Springs County, Samelson 140, and in Fremont County, Winters received 136, Samelson 15.

All results are unofficial until canvassing boards meet later in the week.