Elko County votes Trump, candidates thank voters
ELKO — Newly elected officials thanked their supporters the morning after Tuesday's General Election that saw the re-election of former President Donald Trump and down-to-the-wire race for U.S. Senate seat between incumbent Jacky Rosen and Sam Brown.
Candidates, including incumbents and newcomers, expressed their gratitude toward voters on Wednesday morning.
"I'm truly humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Elko City Council," said Realtor Marissa Lostra, who won her first term in office on Tuesday.
"Thank you to every single person who shared their voice by coming out to vote," she said. "I will do my best to work tirelessly to make our city a place where everyone feels valued and heard. Thank you for your trust and support. I'm honored to be able to serve you."
City Councilman Clair Morris was removing campaign signs the day after winning a second term in office.
A former chief of police and Elko County undersheriff, he said he was "looking forward to another four years. I'm retired, I have the time and the energy, and I've served this community for many years, and I want to continue for another four years."
Republican Brian Gale, who was elected to his first term on the Elko County Board of Commissioners for District 1, said he had "appreciation" for his opponent, Clover Valley rancher and Democrat candidate Jay Dalton.
"Just like to express my appreciation for Jay Dalton and the fantastic service he has given the community in the past many years," he said.
Gale said he also welcomed the public's input as he takes office.
"I'd like to encourage everyone who has suggestions for me to email me at ," he said.
Elko County School Board Trustee Matt McCarty thanked his challenger, Lincoln Litchfield, "for running a clean campaign" and those who voted him in for a four-year term in office.
"I appreciate the trust the voters have placed in me and will work hard to maintain that trust," McCarty said. "I am pleased to be able to stay on the current Board of Trustees and to continue the work we have started."
Assemblyman Bert Gurr, who was elected to a second term, also thanked "the voters of District 33, and especially those in Elko County, for their continued support. I'm looking forward to serving my constituency in the upcoming legislative session, and remain committed to our rural communities and our rural lifestyle."
Gurr said in addition to his win, Republicans "will avoid a super minority in both the Nevada Assembly and the Senate, which will make our jobs easier."
"As always, I hope District 33 will continue to reach out with questions and issues that affect all of us," Gurr said.
Elko County Clerk Rebecca "Becky" Plunkett, who was elected to her first four-year term over challenger Michael Hawkins of the Independent American Party on Tuesday, thanked her staff and volunteers for their hard work over the past few weeks and on Election Day.
She also thanked supporters for their votes and said she looks forward to serving the citizens of Elko County in her elected position.
President, Senate race updates
In the presidential race, Nevada voters chose Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, 51.49% to 46.80%.
By 3 p.m. Wednesday, the Secretary of State's office showed Republican challenger Sam Brown with a growing lead over Democratic incumbent Jacky Rosen.
Brown had 47.37% of the vote over Rosen's 47.07%, a difference of 3,867 votes.
Both the presidential and senate races were yet to be called for by The Associated Press for the Republican candidates.
Turnout in Elko County, state
Approximately 4,441 or 21.41% of voters cast their ballots on Election Day in Elko County when polls closed, according to data posted on the Nevada Secretary of State's Office website .
The report stated the majority of the voters were Republican, coming in at 4,681 registered GOP voters.
Approximately 2,751 voters registered as independent or other parties were far ahead of registered Democrats who cast 956 ballots.
The Secretary of State's Office also updated Elko County's registered voters to 26,392, with a total turnout of 78.58%.
Early voters had a turnout of 44.91% or 9,314. Mail ballots returned were 6,983 or 33.67% of registered voters.
Early voting in Elko County showed a 35.8% turnout of 26,060 active registered voters. There, Republicans also showed heavy turnout with 70.6%, followed by 21.9% of other parties, with Democrats having 7.5%.
Absentee ballots were recorded at 0%.
The Nevada Secretary of State's Office posted results for Elko County on their website .
Races for State Assembly District 32 and 33 and State Senate District 19 crossed county borders.
In the Assembly, Republican incumbent Bert Gurr won his second term with majority votes in Elko, Eureka, Lincoln, Nye and White Pine counties.
Incumbent Alexis M. Hansen, a Republican, defeated her Democratic challenger Arnold W. Thomas for District 32, which includes Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Pershing and Washoe counties.
Hansen won majorities in all counties except Elko County.
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