Hulse, Ladner, Goodwin among winners

By Jason Ferguson

District 30 will have a new face as its senate representative when the 2025 legislative session begins, as the incumbent candidate lost during last night’s election.
Republican challenger Amber Hulse won by a 2,213 to 2,048 vote over incumbent Julie Frye-Mueller, which, if it holds, will send her to this fall’s general election, where she will face Democrat Bret Swanson. Forrest Foster, who was also in the race, garnered 523 votes as of press time. The winner of the November election will serve a two-year term.
As of 2 a.m. when the Chronicle went to press, 24 of 25 precincts had been counted. Results will not be official until they are formally canvassed.
In a very close District 30 House of Representatives race, incumbent Trish Ladner and Tim Godowin advanced to this fall’s general election by virtue of gathering 2,007 and 1,955 votes, respectively. The two just edged past Pat Baumann, who had 1,876 votes.  The other candidates were Matt Smith, Steve Saint and Matthew Monfore, who received 1,745, 422 and 364 votes, respectively. This race may be subject to a recount. The two winners of the November election will serve a two-year term.
In the race for two seats on the Custer School District Board of Education, Heath Reindl came away a winner for a three-year term, as did incumbent Jeff Barnes. The two garnered 1,121 and 990 votes, respectively. Finishing third was incumbent Jeff prior, who picked up 895 votes.
In the race for a two-year term in Ward 1 on the Custer City Council, incumbent Dixie Whittaker has defeated challenge Bruce Miller 97-67.
In Hermosa, there will likely be a recount in the race for a two-year term on that town’s board, as Kel Koontz garnered 53 votes to Aaron Serviss’ 50 votes.