Incumbents and one challenger file for Worland school board; few filings for Ten Sleep

Several special district offices – elected positions that have a local impact – are set to appear on ballots for Washakie County’s General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Terms are up for elected officials in eight of Washakie County’s Special Districts, and 20 offices will appear on the ballot. The filing period for these offices is currently underway, having begun on Aug. 7 and continuing until Monday, Aug. 26.

The offices up for election, the incumbents whose terms are ending, and the status of individuals that have filed with the Washakie County Clerk’s Office for those offices at the time of writing on Aug. 19 are listed below.

From the Worland school board, three Washakie County School District No. 1 Trustees are up for election for four-year terms. Incumbents Johnathan Hake, Brett Argeris and Dave Tommerup have filed for reelection. A new candidate, Becky Dooley has also filed.

In Ten Sleep, the Washakie County School District No. 2 has three trustee positions up for election, one two-year term and two four-year terms. The incumbents are Shana Harstad, Jared Lyman and Erin Blutt; only Harstad has filed for reelection.

The Washakie County Conservation District has two positions open for election – one ‘Urban’ position, a four-year term and one ‘At-Large,’ also a four-year term. The incumbent for the former is Daniel Greet, and the latter is Susan Pennington. No one has filed for these positions yet.

The Worland Fire Protection District also has three positions open for four-year terms. Incumbents are Kent Lombard, Tim Surat and Tad DeBolt; Lombard and Surat have filed for reelection.

The Ten Sleep Fire Protection District has two open positions for four-year terms. Incumbents are Mark Bruster and Myles Bush. No one has filed for these positions yet.

The Ten Sleep Cemetery District has three positions open, one two-year term and two four-year terms. Incumbents are Jan Michael and Randall Firnekas; one position is currently vacant. So far, one candidate Terril Mills has filed for the Director position.

One of two of the Fifth Judicial District Court judges is up for retention. Voters will decide on whether to retain Judge Bill Simpson for another six years.

Both of the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court Judge positions are up for retention — Judges Joseph Durran and Edward Luhm will see if voters retain them for another four years.

All judges are initially appointed by the governor and the voters decide on retention.