El Paso County commission races narrow after assemblies | The Tribune | gazette.com

Delegates vote during the assembly for El Paso County Commissioner District 3 at Vista Ridge High School on Saturday.

The three El Paso County commissioner races narrowed last week following votes during assemblies for each seat.

Candidates for commissioner can gather petitions to earn a spot on the ballot or earn at least 30% of the vote at assemblies. Many of the well-known candidates are submitting petitions.

In District 3, the western portion of the county, Bill Wysong, garnered the highest portion of the vote at assembly at 58%. Wysong is a co-founder of Westside Watch a group that has fought for safe development amid wildfire risk and a growing population. The group wants to ensure that all residents can evacuate safely from wildfires.

He beat out James Dunkley, who was running as part of a slate of candidates that included Guido and Raymond Garcia, in District 4, all running on an “America first” platform. Dunkley said he had been campaigning since November and may run again in four years.

Wysong will face former Monument Mayor Don Wilson, Colorado Springs City Councilman David Leinweber and former Colorado Springs City Councilwoman Brandy Williams in the primary. They are all competing to replace Commissioner Stan VanderWerf, who is term limited.

Elsewhere

In District 2, the northeast portion of the county, Kristopher Guido captured 82.6% of the vote, shutting out Garfield Johnson for a spot on the ballot. Guido will now face Commissioner Carrie Geitner during the primary.

In District 4, southeast El Paso County, Fountain City Councilman Cory Applegate received 44.9% of the votes and Garcia received 43%, so they will both appear on the ballot. Karl Dent, who previously ran for sheriff and for House District 21, did not make the ballot. In June, Applegate and Garcia will face political newcomer Brenda Delgato Miller, who is petitioning onto the ballot.

Contact the writer at [email protected] or (719) 429-9264.

The El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's Office has asked the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office to investigate petitions submitted on beh…