Elections 2026: Sweetwater County sees upsets in state legislature, county races

While House District 18 incumbent Scott Heiner led at the polls in Sweetwater County against challenger Kenneth Roberts, after the votes from Lincoln and Uinta counties were tallied, Roberts came away with 1,222 votes to best Heiner's 995 votes.

Niemiec spoke with the Rocket Miner after the numbers were posted. He said he was feeling good even early in the race. However, there is still the General Elections, and even though there is currently no Democrat on the ticket in this race, Niemiec said he has heard rumors about a democratic write-in possibility.

"One step at a time," he said.

The one upset seen in the county races happened in the contested Republican race for county clerk. In a very close race, Dale Davis gained 3,265 votes to beat incumbent Cindy Lane-Swenson, who had 3,227 votes.

SWEETWATER COUNTY RACES

Other than the upset in the county clerk race, the other county races appeared to not hold any surprises.

In the Sweetwater County Commission race, incumbent Republican Keaton West led with 4,403 votes, followed by Island Richards (4,271), Sherry Bushman (3,345), and Walter Majko (2,290). On the democratic ticket, Wayne Severson gained 925 votes. West, Richards and Bushman will face off against each other and Severson in the General Elections.

Sweetwater County has a new sheriff. Richard Kaumo came away with the most votes at 1,767. Since there is no democrat challenger in this race, Kaumo moves on to the General Elections uncontested. Following Kaumo in the count Tuesday were current sheriff Rich Fischer (1,527), Ozzie Knezovich (1,355), Amanda Bueller (1,053), Matthew Wharton (936), and Randall Tryzbiak (368).

Kaumo told the Rocket Miner that this has been his goal, his dream for 15 years. He called the entire race an "incredible journey" which he could not have gotten through without the support of his family, particularly his wife, Wendy.

"I'm still taking it in," he said.

Other county races that were uncontested included County Treasurer Mark Cowan, Marianne Stacey for county assessor, Clerk of District Court Amanda Chetterbock, Travis Sanders for county coroner, and County Attorney Dan Erramouspe.

CITY RACES

In the Rock Springs mayoral race, Mayor Max Mickelson topped the count with 2,782 votes. He was followed by Rick Milonas with 959 votes and Kathy Phelps a distant third with 525 votes. Mickelson and Milonas will face off in the General Election.

In Rock Springs City Council races, Ward 1 incumbent Jeannie Demas gained 665 votes over Robert Godfrey's 308. Both candidates will move on to the General Elections. In Ward II, incumbent David Thompson posted 667 votes to best Tristian Wooden's 268, and both will move on to the General Elections. Wards 3 and 4 had uncontested races, and both Daniel Pedri in Ward 3 and Randy Hanson in Ward 4 will move on unchallenged in the General Elections.

With current Green River Mayor Pete Rush choosing to not run for office again, the mayoral seat was up for grabs this year. Coming out on top in the Primary Election was Stan Blake with 893 votes, followed by Phil Stanton (561), Karl Bode (431), Mark Peterson (396), Kayla Kappers (130), and Jason Howard (129). Blake and Stanton will face off in the General Elections.

In Green River City Council races, Ronald Williams topped the Ward 1 count with 479 votes, followed by Tom Murphy (296) and Jason Souza (142). Williams and Murphy move on to the General Elections. The Ward 2 race was very close, with Michale Shutran coming in with 311 votes over Jean Joseph's 302. Both move on to the generals. In Ward 3, Paul Stevens topped the count at 436, followed by Robert Boss (312) and Clifford Vanderpool (204). Stevens and Boss move forward to the generals.