Scott Wagner wins Clay County Commission seat; 3 other races advance to general election

Scott Wagner, by capturing more than 50% of the vote, has won the newly created Western Commission Seat No. 2 on the Clay County Commission.

Wagner captured 8,875 votes, a little over 53% of those cast, according to unofficial election results from the Clay County Election Board of Commissioners.

Sharon Spero garnered 5,084 votes, or nearly 31% of the total votes cast in the race. Meanwhile Rodney Phillips had 2,707 votes, or a little over 16%. A total of 16,666 votes were cast in the race.

In 2020, voters overwhelmingly approved a new constitution that substantially reshaped its government. As part of that change, the county’s three-member county commission expands to seven members with this election cycle. Elected races were also made nonpartisan.

Meanwhile three races move on to the November general election.

Jason Withington will face Ken Jamison for the Western Commissioner At-Large seat. In a close primary race, Withington garnered 14,323 votes, or nearly 41% of the 35,165 total votes cast, while Jamison took 13,975 votes, or nearly 40%. Josiah Bechthold captured 6,867 votes, or nearly 20%.

In the Eastern Commissioner Seat 2 race, Jay Johnson was the top finisher with 7,549 votes, or 40% of the total 19,011 votes cast. Johnson will face Sherry Duffett, who came in second with 5,868 votes, or nearly 31%.

Meanwhile Lynn Spalding garnered 3,279 votes, or 17%, and Vern Windsor took 2,315, or 12%.

JoAnn Lawson and Steve Wolcott will move on to the general election after being the top finishers in the crowded race for Eastern Commissioner At-Large seat. Lawson took 11,212, or 31% of the 35,646 total votes cast. Wolcott garnered 8,358 votes, or 23%.

James “Jim” Shrimpton, with 6,241 votes, or nearly 18%; Scott Hayes with 5,742, or 16%; and Noel J. Shull, with 4,093 votes, or 11%, were eliminated.