Incumbent Carolyn Danko and newcomer Dusty Spomer easily won election to Powell’s two open seats on the Northwest College Board of Trustees.

Unofficial results from Tuesday’s general election show Danko with 2,130 votes, or 39.91 percent of votes cast, followed by Spomer with 2,043, or 38.28 percent.

Results Tuesday evening listed Spomer as the top vote getter, besting Danko by only one vote. However, the Park County Clerk’s office adjusted election totals mid-day on Wednesday.

Updated figures show challenger Martin Garhart garnered 1,144 votes, or 21.44 percent, coming up short in his second attempt to win a seat on the board.

There were 20 write-in votes.

This was Spomer’s first run for election to the board.

“I was pleasantly surprised,” Spomer said of his strong showing.

Spomer thanked voters who supported him and said he looks forward to working with Danko, who has served two four-year terms on the board.

“Obviously, there will be a lot to learn from working beside her,” he said.

Spomer said he plans to begin attending board meetings right away “just to learn from those folks that are on the board and see the procedures and policies, then just look for opportunities to contribute where I’ve got the ability.”

“I’m quite happy,” he said. “I look forward to serving.”

Danko said she is pleased to be able to serve another four years on the board.

“I think it will be a lot calmer,” she said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

She said her most immediate goals for the board match those of NWC President Stefani Hicswa: She wants Northwest to earn a higher-level accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission, and she wants the college to consider adding new programs.

“I think we need to maybe look at some new programs, and look at some we already have and consider upgrades,” she said.

Danko spoke highly of the other candidates for the board, both of whom she said would have done a good job.

“Dusty is on a lot of boards, and his family has been in business here for years,” she said. “Martin has lots and lots of qualifications. He’s been in education all his adult life. I love working with him; he’s one of the moving forces behind Plaza Diane ... and he’s just a really nice guy.”

Garhart said he was disappointed in the results.

“It would have been fun to work with President Hicswa,” he said.

But he recalled the advice of a former boxing coach: “We’re going to go out there and give it everything we’ve got. We’re going to win some, and we’re going to lose some, but always remember, you were in the ring.”

“I think the college is in fine hands,” he said. “I always come back to the fact that this is why we have a democracy.”

Incumbent John Housel of Cody also will return to the board. He was unopposed for re-election to Cody’s open seat and garnered 4,245 votes, or 98.58 percent.