General Election Result
1st
place, by 458 votes
Jim
Darwiche .................................. 4,644
John
Carney ................................... 4,186
Larry
Jorgenson ............................ 4,151
Leland
Christensen ....................... 4,006
Peter
Pilafian ................................... 2,522
NEW
HOME
Vote
Analysis:
total
vote casted... 19,509/3 = 6,503
Jim's
percentage .......... 4,644 / 6,503 = 71.4
%
Jackson Hole News November 6 - 12, 2002
www. jacksonholenews.com
Darwiche,
Carney, Jorgenson are elected.
By Melissa Davidson
Jackson businessman Jim Darwiche topped the Teton County Commission
race Tuesday, taking office with Democrat John Carney and fellow
Republican Larry Jorgenson.
Republican front-runner Leland Christensen, who won the primary,
finished fourth followed by Democrat Peter Pilafian.
Darwiche earned 23 percent or 4,644 votes. He won the race by
458 votes over Carney, who got 21 percent or 4,186 votes. Only
35 votes separated Carney from Jorgenson who captured 21 percent
or 4,151 votes.
Christensen, who missed a commission seat by 145 votes, was disappointed
but appeared upbeat after hearing the results. He was smiling
as he surrounded himself with friends at the Republican rally
at Sidewinders. Supporters said they were surprised at the loss.
"I can't believe what I just heard," said Al Hilde.
"I'm shocked."
"It was a good fight," Kelly Lockhart said while shaking
hands with Christensen.
Christensen, a county sheriff's officer who lives in Alta with
his wife and five children, said he ran a great race and the public
made its choices.
"It looks like we will have great representation,"
Christensen said. "The community has spoken. The whole idea
is to respect what the community wants."
Christensen wouldn't characterize his weaknesses. "Evidently
the public heard things from the other candidates that closer
matched their priorities," he said.
Darwiche, meanwhile, said he was "humbled" by the support
of the community and the responsibilities that lie ahead.
"I am very fortunate for this community today asked me to
be their representative," Darwiche said from his headquarters
at the Ranch Inn. "This is the most beautiful place in America."
Darwiche said voters caught on to his campaign message, which
focused more on his vision for a cohesive, vibrant community than
his positions on specific issues. When facing tough issues as
commissioner, Darwiche said he will strive to find solutions that
unite the community. He challenges other valley leaders to join
him.
"Today, I ask all the leaders of this community to come
together and share my vision to be united," Darwiche said.
The commissioner-elect listed working smoothly with developers
proposing large projects, with little public value, as a challenge
he will face. Darwiche said he will pull no punches in denying
projects that don't offer community benefit and worries his no-nonsense
attitude will raise the ire of developers.
As election results rolled in to the Democrat's headquarters
at Anthony's, a blushing John Carney stood at the center of the
crowd.
With few precincts reporting, Carney high-fived a few people,
celebrating his early lead, but stayed cautious. He milled about
the room, saying hello to Republican Bob Morris and putting a
gentle arm around his son.
When final results came in showing Carney in second, a great
cheer enveloped the room.
"I'm extremely gratified," Carney said. "It's
been a good race. I've enjoyed the whole process with my candidates.
I thought it would be close."
Carney was swarmed by people, including Laurel Neyhard who works
in the County Commissioners' office.
"I'm so excited," she said of Carney's election. "We
need innovative, proactive but cautious action in Teton County.
Period. He's it. I'm excited to work for him."
Carney said the race's turnout, with Christensen coming in fourth
after shooting to a lead in the primaries, shows voters are willing
to think and study all the issues.
"I'm honored by the support," he said. "As a Democrat,
I'm honored. Now I have the task of living up to the support."
County Commissioner Andy Schwartz said he was pleased to be joined
by another Democrat.
"I'm just excited to no longer be the only elected Democrat
in Teton County," he said.
Schwartz then turned to Carney and said, "John, you have
no idea what we have planned for you."
Peter Pilafian, who came in fifth in the race, said the outcome
is a giant step forward.
"We've got a tremendous improvement in the make-up of the
board of commissioners," he said. "The three guys who
got in have such great strengths."
Pilafian said Darwiche's strength is building community values,
Carney is "wonderful planning-oriented guy," and Larry
Jorgenson is "absolutely dedicated to the importance of the
natural world."
An excited Jorgenson said from his home Tuesday night that he
was "delighted" and is "looking forward to serving."
He said he couldn't say he was surprised about his victory.
"I felt reasonably confident," he said. "But I've
waited on too many juries in my life not to have anxiety."
Jorgenson said with the five commissioners, three of whom are
new, there's going to be some "melding of different views."
"We need to join hands and interpret what the people have
said and go forward," Jorgenson said. "We've got good
experience and leadership on the commission. I think it will be
an exciting time and I'm humbled to be part of it."
Of the 11,796 registered voters, 65 percent or 7,706 people voted.
Bill Curran and Whitney Royster contributed to this story.
Respond to this article by e-mailing editor@jacksonholenews.com
