Gill re-elected as Worland mayor

WORLAND - Worland Mayor Jim Gill won re-election Tuesday night with nearly 67% of the votes.

Gill was challenged by Keith McDonald, who accepted a write-in candidacy after the August Primary. Gill received 1,470 votes to McDonald's 694 votes. There were also 32 write-in votes cast, which will not impact the election.

Gill said Tuesday night, "I am extremely appreciative of the Worland voters support of my past four years of leadership. Thank you Worland. I pledge to work even harder to fulfill the voters confidence in me. Together we will make good things happen for the city we all love.

"I commend Keith McDonald on a well run campaign and wish him the best for the future."

For the city council, there will be several new members taking the oath in January. In Ward 1, Adam Martinez defeated incumbent Kenneth Shearer for the two-year seat. Shearer had been appointed to the council. Martinez received 487 votes to Shearer's 292.

Martinez said, I would like to give a huge thank you to the community. I am excited to serve our community."

Also in Ward 1, Scott Schaeffer won election to the four-year seat. The unopposed candidate received 725 votes. Current member Keith Gentzler opted not to seek re-election.

In Ward 2, two four-year seats were open with one incumbent retaining her seat and one new candidate elected. Wendy Fredricks topped the ticket as she did in the primary. She won a seat on the council with 468 votes. Kody DeMunbrun, who was appointed to her current seat, won election for four years with 343 votes.

DeMunbrun edged fellow incumbent Mandy Horath, who received 320 votes. Morgan Muller earned 265 votes.

Fredricks said, "I want to thank everyone who voted for me, It is an honor to be elected. I am pretty humbled by people's faith in me and putting their trust in me. I just hope I serve the city well and I will do my best to do that."

DeMunbrun said, "It is so important for people to vote because it is such a right and privilege, so I am thankful to everyone that did vote. I am excited to serve another four years for the community of Worland."

In Ward 3, William Worley won election to the council on the four-year seat with 283 votes. Worley accepted a write-in nomination after the primary election. He defeated Michael Sanchez who received 202 votes.

Worley said, "I would like to thank everyone who voted for me and I'll do the best I can."

Current council member Mike Neufer won re-election to a two-year term representing Ward 3. He was unopposed on the ballot, receiving 463 votes.

In the Washakie County races, Commissioner Aaron Anderson was unopposed for re-election to his four-year seat. He received 3,405 votes.