Two incumbent sheriffs retain seats

Two Southwest Nebraska sheriffs retained their offices and Cambridge voters authorized the establishment of a Keno lottery in the 2018 primary election Tuesday.

The race for Cambridge mayor ended in a tie and the two candidates, Mark Harpst and David Gunderson, will advance to the general election in November.

In Dundy County, Sheriff Justin Nichols garnered 394 votes to challenger Jimmy Collins' 98 votes, and in Hayes County, Sheriff Tom Dow received 138 votes and challenger Daniel Steinert received 70 votes.

In Hitchcock County, Trenton voters authorized the Trenton Cemetery District to increase its restricted funds base from about $2,200 to a maximum of $10,000, to help maintain and mow the cemetery. The vote was 133, yes; and 46, no.

In another Hitchcock County question, rural Trenton-area voters authorized an increase — 66, yes, and 15, no — in the budgeted restricted funds authority and the restricted funds base to $50,000 for the Trenton Rural Fire District. The increases will allow the fire district to keep up with insurance and equipment costs.

Election results of local races, by county, are:

CHASE COUNTY

Chase County Treasurer, Republican: Cynthia Schoenberger (incumbent) 451; Penny Strand, 434. Not close enough for an automatic recount.

Chase County commissioner, District 2, (Republican): David Hogsett (incumbent) 118; Jacci Brown, 225; Jim Hayes, 24.

Chase County commissioner, District 3 (an open seat) (Republican): Sid Bartels, 66; Mark Davidson, 27; Dennis Kunnemann, 203.

Imperial city mayor: Mason Holmes, 138: Dwight Coleman (incumbent), 287; Preston Smith, 168. Coleman and Smith advance to the general election in November.

Imperial city council: Chad Yaw, 354; Charlesa Kline, 346: Blake Moreland, 118: Darcy Moreland, 77; Craig Loeffler, 234. The top four advance to the general.

DUNDY COUNTY

County sheriff: Justin Nichols, 394; Jimmy Collins, 98.

Dundy County commissioner, District 1: Jerry Fries, 105; Miles Preston, 49; Anthony Wonderly, 35.

Dundy County commissioner, District 2: Kelly D. Nichols, 29; Richard Bartholomew, 118; Morgan Burrell, 19; Tim Smith, 27.

Benkelman mayor: John M. Carter, 59; Jeanette Wonderly, 57; Robert Rhoades, 182; Randy Brink, 3. The top two advance to the general election in November.

FURNAS COUNTY

County assessor: Melody Crawford (incumbent), 488; Bobbi Noel, 169.

Clerk of the district court: Victoria Barnett (incumbent), 341; Jennifer Raburn, 320; not close enough for an automatic recount.

Mayor of Cambridge: Mark Harpst, 82; Jacob Farmer, 26; David Gunderson, 82.

Keno in Cambridge: Yes, 133; No, 51.

HAYES COUNTY

County sheriff: Daniel Steinert, 70; Tom Dow, 138.

County commissioner, District 2, Republican: Barry Richards, 54; James Howard, 18.

County commissioner, District 3, Republican: Wayne Christner, 53; Mickey Long, 15.

HITCHCOCK COUNTY

Trenton Cemetery District question: Yes, 133; No, 46.

Trenton Rural Fire District question: Yes, 66; No, 15.

County treasurer, Republican: Jackie Drain, 405; Valerie Paschall, 88.

County Commissioner District 1, Republican: Paul Nichols (incumbent), 127; Randall L. Bass, 45; Gregory Hock, 22.