Huckstep wins mayoral contest in a landslide

Schmidt, Mason and Ladoulis get seats

In the end, this election wasn’t as close as anticipated by most Crested Butte voters, but the turnout was huge. Aaron Huckstep was reelected as mayor of Crested Butte over challenger Jeremy Rubingh by a count of 429 to 283 votes. Huckstep had run unopposed for the position two years ago. Elected to four year terms on the town council were Jim Schmidt, Roland Mason and Chris Ladoulis.

“This has been a pretty contentious election and I’m happy to put it behind us,” Huckstep commented Wednesday morning. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to move forward and keep working hard on important issues as the town’s mayor.
“I think there are a couple things I see on the horizon that are important in the next two years,” he continued. “The recent developments with Mt. Emmons are interesting and give us a clearer picture of who we’re dealing with. I look forward to working with HCCA and the Red Lady Coalition and our other partners to see how we can resolve this issue. I also think the proposed affordable housing project and permanent funding for our parks and recreation programs are important.”
In the last council election two years ago, 457 citizens cast votes. This year, more than 700 Buttians took part in the democratic process. Schmidt, a longtime member of the town council tallied the most council votes with 485. Incumbent Mason garnered 454 votes and newcomer Ladoulis tallied 429. Danica Ramgoolam received 319 votes while Josh Schumacher pulled in 260.
In total, 731 Crested Butte voters went to the polls, or more accurately the mailbox to cast their votes. But on Tuesday, November 5, 177 people physically dropped off their ballots to the county election office. Those ballots were in a machine that had some technical difficulties and delayed the final vote count until close to midnight Tuesday.
For the county, 4,823 people cast votes. On statewide Amendment 66 that would have provided funding to schools through an income tax increase, the state voted it down by a 65 percent to 35 percent margin.
In Gunnison County, the vote was closer but still rejected with 2,190 people voting for the tax hike and 2,602 people voting against it. That comes in at 54 percent of county residents rejecting the amendment and 45 percent voting in favor.
On the issue of taxing retail marijuana sales, state voters overwhelmingly approved the measure 65 percent to 35 percent. In Gunnison County the measure passed slightly higher with 67 percent of the local voters (3,201) voting yes and 32 percent (1,554 voters) casting ballots against the tax measure.
Next year for the general election, there will be a voter service and polling center in Crested Butte for eight days before Election Day (November 4). People will be able to cast their votes or drop off their ballots at the Queen of All Saints Parish Hall.