The Park County GOP recently lost a key member of its leadership.

Sherry Johnson, of Meeteetse, died unexpectedly last week. She was the State Committeewoman for the county party and had recently won nearly 98% of the votes in her precinct during the August primary election.

“She touched a lot of lives,” Park County GOP chair Martin Kimmet said. “She was a huge part of our success and will be missed.”

He said Johnson had been in her position for at least four years. She had been active in bringing candidates to Meeteetse during the recent election cycle. Kimmet said Harriet Hageman called Johnson’s daughter after hearing the news, which Kimmet said was a testament to both Johnson’s influence and admiration across that state, and Hageman’s character. 

“Sherry worked incredibly hard for the GOP,” Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams said in a Facebook post. “Her cheerful attitude and smile will be missed in Park County.”

On Thursday night at its monthly meeting the party central committee voted to name Jessalynne Crum as her replacement to finish out the last months of Johnson’s term. In the primary, Crum finished fifth in a crowded Cody precinct committee race for four spots. Kimmet said they are allowed 30 days to make the decision but wanted to do so quickly in order to have full representation, as they are obligated to have, for the next GOP State Central Committee meeting Sept. 16-17. 

There will still be a vote next March on all party officers as the newly elected crop of precinct committee members will begin their new terms in January. CJ Baker with Park County Elections said the office still has to tally write-in votes for many of the precinct seats and it’s a high priority to get those done. The office has 45 days from the election to compile results and send them to both parties.