Michelle Mallard wins in crowded field for Bonneville County Commissioner, District 3

IDAHO FALLS — Michelle Mallard emerged victorious Tuesday nighttime successful a close, four-way title for Bonneville County Commission District 3. Mallard received 4,114 votes (29.67%) – only 134 ballots much than Alan Steele who came successful 2nd spot pinch 3,980 votes (28.71%).

The different 2 competitors besides posted a coagulated showing pinch Barrett Hillier receiving 3,020 ballots (21.78%) and Debra Haacke 2,751 ballots (19.84%).

“I deliberation nan separator is astir really galore doors I knocked on,” Mallard said Tuesday night. “It’s very breathtaking that truthful galore group person entrusted maine pinch helping to lead nan county, on pinch Karl Casperson and Jon Walker.”

Mallard said arsenic she said pinch voters connected nan run trail, she was capable to place their apical priorities.

“People were surely concerned pinch nan maturation successful nan county, nan accent connected nan infrastructure and pinch nan increasing crime rate,” she said.

She said she brings decades of acquisition moving successful nan region to this caller role.

“I cognize who nan players are for nan astir part. As a judge, I spent a batch of clip listening to group earlier I made considered decisions, and I deliberation that arsenic a region commissioner, that will beryllium really valuable to cognize that you don’t dress up your mind first,” Mallard said. “You make it up past aft you’ve heard from arsenic galore group arsenic you perchance tin connected immoderate issue.”

When asked astir her separator of victory, Mallard said, “I conjecture a triumph is simply a win, and it was it was a really absorbing title pinch 4 candidates. You know, there’s really nary measurement you could fig retired what was going to hap I don’t think.”

About nan run process, Mallard said, “Most group are very kind, and if you’re a campaigner you really, really admit each those group who support you successful immoderate way. It is simply a very difficult point to beryllium a candidate, truthful I applaud those who ran pinch me, and I cognize that they admit their supporters arsenic well.”

Multiple candidates wished Mallard good connected her triumph night.

“I want to convey everyone for their support done this election,” Steel wrote to EastIdahoNews.com. “I person thoroughly enjoyed getting to cognize nan galore group I person had nan chance to swipe shoulders pinch these past respective weeks. I want to convey my chap candidates for moving a cleanable title and wish Michelle nan champion successful her caller domiciled arsenic Bonneville County Commissioner.”

In a statement, Hillier reiterated his support for nan predetermination process.

“It takes a batch of courageousness for personification to tally for nationalist office,” he wrote. “Someone wins and personification loses successful an election; it’s that simple. I judge successful nan predetermination process and coming nan sound of nan group person chosen Michelle Mallard to beryllium nan adjacent Bonneville County Commissioner for District 3.

“Michelle has served nan group of Bonneville County for years and I congratulate Michelle for a occupation good done coming and wish her nan very best.”

While Haacke was disappointed pinch nan results, she wrote successful a statement, “I person nary regrets! I consciousness for illustration I worked difficult and smart but conscionable didn’t travel up pinch nan votes. I met immoderate awesome group on nan measurement and americium truthful thankful for family and friends’ support. I will enactment engaged and informed arsenic to what is happening astir our county. We unrecorded successful a beautiful spot filled pinch beautiful people!!”

In total, 16,605 voters participated successful nan election, 28% of nan 59,052 full registered voters successful Bonneville County (not including aforesaid time predetermination registrations), Bonneville County Elections Supervisor Helena Welling said.

By comparison, successful nan 2022 superior election, 19,598 individuals voted, nan balanced of 32.3% of registered voters.