Primary Results: Bennett, Brooks, Cuffe win Tuesday election

State Rep. Jerry Bennett, R-Libby decisively won the primary election Tuesday with more than twice the votes cast for the next two candidates. With all 14 precincts reported, Bennett received 1,917 votes, 39 percent.

Bennett will now face off against political newcomer Rhoda Cargill in the general election, who garnered 17 percent with 841 votes. Larry Dolezal also received 17 percent Tuesday, but fell just 12 votes behind Cargill with 829. Jim Hammons pulled in 736 votes and Tony Brown received 491.

In the race for District Court Judge of District 19, Matt Cuffe cleared opponent William Managhan with 3,131 to Managhan’s 1,655. They’ll both continue to the general election in November.

Incumbent Tricia Brooks garnered 43 percent of the 4,794 votes cast for the Clerk of District Court. Challengers Cyndi Miller and Robin Schiferl received 1,787 and 926, respectively. 

In the Republican race for House District 1, Steve Gunderson brought in 1,014 of the total 1,579 votes cast. Bill Clark collected 565 votes. Gunderson will face Steve Haarstick in the November general election.

Bennett said he believed his tenure as state legislator helped propel him to a big win over other candidates. 

“It’s a combination of things,” Bennett said. “Eight years in the legislature, having an understanding of how government works, being a business owner and serving South Lincoln County for 20 years gives me a pretty good platform.”

Bennett said along this year’s campaign trail he understood voters’ biggest issues to be the economy and jobs in Lincoln County. 

“Government doesn’t create jobs but it certainly makes life easier or more difficult for businesses depending on regulation,” he said. “Being a state legislator gives me the opportunity to discuss with folks on the state level about certain regulations that might be detrimental to businesses.”

In the national races, 53 percent of Lincoln County voters picked Bernie Sanders with 846 votes over Hillary Clinton, who received 668. Sixty-six Lincoln County voters checked “No preference” in the Democratic presidential candidate ballot section. 

Donald Trump garnered 82 percent of Lincoln County Republican voters with 3,073 votes. Ted Cruz, who suspended his campaign over a month ago, received 6 percent with 233 votes. 

Lincoln County voter turnout was 42.86 percent with 5,400 votes cast among 12,599 registered voters.