By Tracie Sullivan, Iron County Today
Ken Robinson has secured Iron County Commission’s Seat C with a resounding victory over Maile Wilson-Edwards.
In the primary election last Tuesday, Robinson captured 5,964 votes, representing 66.4% of the total ballots cast by registered Republicans countywide. Wilson-Edwards trailed behind with 3,025 votes, garnering 33.6% of the vote.
Tuesday’s results closely reflect the outcome of the Iron County Republican Convention last April, where Robinson dominated with 72.4% of the delegate vote compared to Wilson-Edwards’ 27.6%.
Iron County Clerk Jon Whittaker reported minimal outstanding ballots, confirming a smooth election process.
“It was a pretty boring day on election day, which we are always grateful for,” Whittaker said.
Canvassing to officially certify the election results will take place during the Iron County Commission meeting on July 8.
In a telephone interview with Iron County Today, Robinson expressed his gratitude for the support he received.
“It’s just very humbling. I am very grateful to get the support that I’ve received,” Robinson said. “I’m grateful to the voters, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve and to represent Iron County.”
Robinson’s primary victory guarantees his unopposed appearance on the general election ballot in November. He is set to join the three-member commission alongside Mike Bleak and Paul Cozzens.
Cozzens, who supported Robinson’s campaign, expressed his excitement about working with him.
“Other than buying pumpkins from the Robinson pumpkin patch in the fall I didn’t know much about Ken,” Cozzens said. “I was impressed with the campaign he ran and his work ethic. I look forward to supporting his passion for agriculture as well as his efforts to protect our public lands.”
Going forward, Robinson plans to build relationships with state legislators and other government bodies. His foremost agenda as he prepares to step into office in January includes protecting private property rights and ensuring the preservation of the public lands he believes are being threatened.
“Protecting our public lands is going to be my number one focus,” Robinson said. “It’s why I ran for office and it’s what I plan on working on.”
In addition to Robinson being unopposed on the Nov. 5 ballot, four other county-level races will also be uncontested in Iron County, as incumbents Carri Jeffries (recorder/surveyor), Karsten Reed (assessor), Lucas Little (auditor), and Nicole Rosenberg (treasurer) are all seeking re-election to new four-year terms.
State and Federal Races Update
In the race for the 2nd Congressional District, Rep. Celeste Maloy leads challenger Colby Jenkins by a narrowing margin. In Washington County, Jenkins took 58% of the vote.
In the gubernatorial race, Iron and Washington counties gave majority support to Rep. Phil Lyman with 53% and 58% of the vote, respectively. Despite Cox’s win with 55% of the votes counted thus far, Lyman has called for an independent audit of the election process.
Senate candidate Trent Staggs found majority support in Washington County over Curtis, while in Iron County it is a near split between the two, with Staggs at 40% of the vote to Curtis’ 39%.
In the race for State School Board District 15, Joann Brinton has won against incumbent Kristan Norton.
In the Utah Senate District 29 race, incumbent Sen. Don Ipson continues to lead challenger Chad Bennion with 51% of the vote. The race remains close, with just over 624 votes between the two.
In Iron County, Kenneth Robinson leads with 66% of the vote to Maile Wilson Edwards’ 33%.
Here are some key race results:
Federal Races
– Senate (Statewide):
– John Curtis: 49.14%
– Trent Staggs: 32.09%
– 2nd Congressional District (Statewide):
– Celeste Maloy: 50.48%
– Colby Jenkins: 49.52%
State Races
– Governor (Statewide):
– Spencer Cox: 55.04%
– Phil Lyman: 44.96%
– Attorney General (Statewide):
– Derek Brown: 43.83%
– Frank Demcy Mylar: 23.42%
– Rachel Terry: 32.75%
– State Auditor (Statewide):
– Ricky Hatch: 43.07%
– Tina Cannon: 56.93%
– State School Board District 15 (Statewide):
– Joann Brinton: 66.45%
– Kristan Norton: 33.55%
– Utah Senate District 29:
– Don Ipson: 51.53%
– Chad Bennion: 48.47%