Tuesday night debates feature Washington County Republican candidates

Stock image | Photo by Sushiman/iStock/Getty Images Plus, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Voters have the chance to hear what the candidates have to say Tuesday night, May 17, when the Washington County Republican Party hosts a debate for those who will appear on the June 28 Republican primary ballot.

For illustrative purposes only | Illustration by erinrb, iStock / Getty Images Plus, St. George News

The debate will be at the Dixie Convention Center in St. George. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with the debate beginning at 6 p.m. (attendees are asked to be seated by 5:55 p.m.). This debate is open to the general public, according to a news release from the Washington County Republican Party.

The debate will begin with County Commissioner Seat A, between Allen Davis and Gil Almquist. At the County Convention, Davis received 43.31% of the vote, and Almquest received 56.69% of the vote. Also at the convention, Victor Iverson became the Convention Candidate for County Commissioner Seat B with 88.82% of the vote. Adam Snow is running uncontested for County Commissioner Seat C.

At 7:05 p.m., there will be a break to allow for attendants to move to House District breakout rooms. The House District debates will start at 7:15 p.m.

The debate for House District 72 will be between Willie Billings and Joseph Elison. Billings is the Convention Candidate, netting 62.22% of the vote.  Elison received 37.78% of the vote, but gathered enough signatures to appear in the primary.

The debate for House District 73 will be between Nina Barnes and Colin Jack, due to the fact incumbent Travis Seegmiller resigned his seat, effective July 1. In response to Seegmiller’s resignation, the Washington County Republican Party’s central committee will hold a special election on June 1 in St. George. The committee will select an interim replacement to serve the remainder of Seegmiller’s term, which expires Jan. 17, 2023.

Barnes was eliminated after the second round of balloting (the voting went for three rounds). Although she was eliminated, she has gathered enough signatures to appear in the Primary. Seegmiller received 43.90% of the vote, and Jack received 56.10% of the vote in the final round of balloting.

The debate for House District 74 will be between Kristy Pike and Neil Walter. After the third round of balloting, Pike received 0% of the Convention vote but gathered enough signatures to appear in the primary. Walter received 73.44% of the vote, becoming the Convention Candidate.

Other candidates running unopposed are Eric Clark for County Attorney, Susan Lewis for County Clerk/Auditor and Nate Brooksby for County Sheriff.

The debates will be moderated by Shawn Guzman, Don Willie and Vince Brown. Click here to view full candidate bios.

The primary election is the result of the voting that occurred recently at the Washington County Republican Convention. If a candidate receives 60% or more of the votes, that person becomes the Convention Candidate. Otherwise, the top two vote-getters move to a Primary Election. Candidates also may also have qualified for the Primary Ballot by collecting enough signatures (due to SB54 passed in 2014).

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