Blevins wins House District 25 race

Posted 8/23/12

Unofficial results from the Park County’s Elections Office show Blevins leading with 765 votes (45.8 percent), Billy A. Greaham following with 430 votes (25.8 percent), Steve Walker in third with 329 votes (19.7 percent) and David Kellett …

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Blevins wins House District 25 race

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Leading the pack by 20 percent, Dave Blevins defeated three Republican challengers Tuesday in the race for House District 25, which covers the Powell area.

Unofficial results from the Park County’s Elections Office show Blevins leading with 765 votes (45.8 percent), Billy A. Greaham following with 430 votes (25.8 percent), Steve Walker in third with 329 votes (19.7 percent) and David Kellett finishing with 141 votes (8.4 percent).

The District 25 seat currently is held by Dave Bonner, R-Powell, who did not seek re-election.

Blevins advances to the general election ballot in November, where he will run uncontested, barring a successful write-in or independent campaign this fall. No Democrats filed for the seat, and there were only four write-in votes in the primary election. A write-in candidate needed 25 votes to secure a spot on the general election ballot, but it’s still possible for voters to write in names.

On Wednesday morning, Blevins thanked voters for putting their trust in him. He said the campaign experience “reinforced my belief that being a Wyoming citizen is a privilege.” He said he would work hard to be open and honest as he seeks to represent the Powell area in the Legislature.

“Preserving the unique gifts of our state and maintaining our independence is my goal,” Blevins said Wednesday.

Blevins added that the voters’ “resounding support is rewarding and a responsibility.”

Blevins said he will work as hard as he can to remain open and honest with everyone as he seeks to represent Powell.

He said that, as a local State Farm Insurance agent, he has heard a lot of concerns from residents about various issues over the years. Being in a position to do something about it “puts a new wrinkle in that.”

“It’s a difficult task, and it takes time to make changes that are necessary,” he said.

Blevins said he believes highway maintenance, water and education are some of the most important issues facing the state.

Greaham, Kellett and Walker each congratulated Blevins on his win.

“You ran a good race and (are) deserving of this victory,” Kellett wrote in a press release sent Tuesday night.

Kellett said he and his fellow Big Horn Basin TEA Party members “look forward to monitoring your activities as one of our elected representatives. We watch the activities of the Wyoming House and Senate very closely and are excited about the opportunity to watch you shine.”

On Walker’s Facebook page Tuesday night, he thanked those who had worked on his campaign and congratulated Blevins.

Walker also thanked voters who registered as Republicans “who would otherwise not have.”

“I know that for many of you, that was a very difficult decision,” he wrote.

“Obviously, I would have preferred a different outcome tonight, but I feel we ran a good, smart, and disciplined campaign. I have no regrets, and none of you should either,” Walker wrote.

Walker said he now returns to work at Northwest College, where he gets the chance to help more than 100 students learn about the political process and the government of Wyoming and United States.

“I have an entirely new perspective about politics in Powell and Wyoming. This will surely benefit our students,” he wrote.

Greaham said Wednesday morning that it was a neat experience to run for the Legislature.

“I wish Dave the best of luck,” he said.

Greaham said he also would have liked to see a better voter turnout in Park County. Walker shared that sentiment in one of his posts.

Greaham added that he appreciates “the chance people gave me to represent them,” as well as their thoughts, prayers and votes.

“I will move on from here and see what the Lord has for me,” Greaham said.

Results are unofficial until certified by county and state canvassing boards. The State Canvassing Board meets Aug. 29.

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