Camp Verde Mayor Charlie German fended off a challenge from fellow council member Jackie Baker to be reelected for a third term as mayor. In August, the two candidates faced off in a primary election along with write-in candidate Alex Goetting, but with none gathering the necessary 50 percent to win outright, the top two candidates faced off in a runoff.
German received 1,862 in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 6, netting him 54.49 of the total vote compared to Baker’s 44.83 percent for 1,532 votes.
“I would say that Camp Verde is pleased with what they’ve seen happen over the last three to fiveyears and they would like us to continue,” German said. “That’s kind of what I’ve been getting on the street as I was been campaigning. ‘We really like what we see happening.’”
“I am disappointed certainly in the results regarding the campaign,” Baker said, but she added, “I don’t have any complaints. I can’t show enough appreciation, thanking friends and supporters. It’s just unbelievable how kind, helpful, and supportive they were.”
With the two candidates having worked together for years on the Town Council, the Camp Verde mayor’s race remained a mostly friendly affair. German campaigned on the council’s accomplishments, while Baker also campaigned on the council’s accomplishments but added in some criticism of the council’s handling of criticism and sought more input from residents.
While viewing the results of a vindication of the current council’s policies, German also expressed a desire to make the town government more accessible to individuals’ concerns.
“I think the major thing I would like to see is how we can communicate better with the entire community,” German said. “If that involves a more electronic presence form the mayor or council then I guess that’s what we’re going to have to do.”
German also said that he was not surprised that some residents feel frustrated by recent increases in wastewater fees, but he hopes that residents can be mollified as they learn more about the situation.
“I really appreciate the confidence that Camp Verde has,” the mayor said. “I am honored to serve the last five-and-a-half years and look forward to the next two years. I intend to stay the course of what the voters have told us and asked us to do through our general plan, the river recreation master plan, and Focused Future II. As we come in contact with various town groups, we’ll listen to them and weigh them carefully, and proceed forward on the merits.”
Verde Valley Fire District Governing Board
Also in the Verde Valley, Colleen Gilboy and Don Peck won the two open seats on the board of the Verde Valley Fire District, beating out Gary Svider.
Gilboy received 4,097 votes, or 42.82 percent, while Peck received 3,058 votes, or 31.96 percent. Svider received 2,377 votes.
Yavapai College District Governing Board
Paul Chevalier unseated incumbent Connie Harris for a seat on the Yavapai County Community College District Board, winning 54.73 percent of the vote with 7,212 votes to Harris’ 5,928.
Arizona State Legislature
Republicans swept state legislative elections for Legislative District 6.
Arizona State Sen. Sylvia Allen maintained her seat with 52 percent of the vote, fending off Democratic challenger Wade Carlisle. Allen won 41,696 in the district, compared to Carlisle’s 38,307.
Republican Arizona State Rep. Bob Thorpe kept his seat in the Arizona House of Representatives, now joined by fellow Republican Walter Blackman. The other District 6 representative, Republican Brenda Barton, was prevented from running reelection due to term limits and was taken off the Arizona State Senate ballot against Allen prior to the primary due to insufficient signatures on her nominating petitions.
Of the four candidates for two LD6 House seats, Blackman won most votes with 38,883 [26.89 percent], followed by Thorpe with 38.159 [26.39 percent], Democrat Felicia French with 36,238 [25.06 percent], and Democrat Bobby Tyler with 31,317 [21.66 percent].
U.S. Congress
Both members of Congress representing parts of the Verde Valley kept their seats against aggressive challengers. Republican U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar [District 4] won 155,086 votes, representing 69 percent, compared to Democrat David Brill who received just 67,346, or 29.8 percent. Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom O’Halleran held on with 112,155 votes or 53.4 percent, compared to 98,063 and 46.6 percent for Republican Wendy Rogers.
“Now more than ever, we need leaders in Washington who will put party politics aside and work together to address the challenges our families and communities face,” O’Halleran wrote in a press release. “Last night, the voters of Arizona’s 1st District were clear that hyper-partisan rhetoric and gridlock have no place in our government. In the next two years, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get results for families in the district and across America.”
All vote totals may be subject to change as election officials continue to count early ballots.
Jon Hecht can be reached at 634-8551, or email jhecht@larsonnewspapers.com
