Unofficial results: Kennedy, Van Dyke, Ballard win seats on City Council | Western Colorado | gjsentinel.com
Grand Junction City Council Election Results
Unofficial results from the Grand Junction municipal election show victories for Cody Kennedy (District A), Ben Van Dyke (at-large), and Robert Ballard (District E).
District A
Incumbent Cody Kennedy secured a lead over Alexis Hitzeroth, receiving 8,947 votes compared to Hitzeroth's 6,020 votes (as of 7 p.m. Tuesday).
District E
Robert Ballard won against Randall Reitz, with 8,044 votes to Reitz's 6,727 votes. This win is significant as Mayor Abe Herman, the current District E representative, did not seek re-election.
At-Large Seat
Ben Van Dyke defeated Ken Scissors for the at-large seat, garnering 7,240 votes versus Scissors' 6,261 votes. Laura Houston, who withdrew from the race earlier, still received 1,374 votes.
District D
Laurel Cole ran unopposed in District D and secured 11,222 votes. Incumbent Dennis Simpson did not run for re-election.
Candidate Statements
- Cody Kennedy expressed gratitude for community support.
- Robert Ballard stated the results reflected community dissatisfaction with the current council and desire for strong representation.
- Ben Van Dyke described the campaign as grueling but highlighted the significant support received.
Official certification of election results is scheduled for Thursday.
Cody Kennedy, Ben Van Dyke and Robert Ballard held leads in Grand Junction’s municipal election as of the unofficial results posted Tuesday.
Kennedy, an incumbent, represents District A, which encompasses much of western Grand Junction, and was running against Alexis Hitzeroth.
As of 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Kennedy had received 8,947 votes and Hitzeroth had received 6,020 votes.
Kennedy said he was grateful for the support of the community.
“This one has been really, really hard compared to the last one and I’m just super thankful for the opportunity to engage with so many people that love Grand Junction and I’m going to continue to do that,” Kennedy said. “I come through this with a grateful heart. That’s all I can really say.”
In District E, which encompasses much of downtown and southern Grand Junction, Randall Reitz was running against Ballard. Reitz is currently an at-large representative on City Council and the mayor pro-tem. Mayor Abe Herman, who currently represents District E, did not run for re-election.
As of 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Ballard had received 8,044 votes and Reitz had received 6,727 votes.
“This is exactly what we were looking for,” Ballard said. “This shows that the people of Grand Junction are saying what they have been saying, that they’re not satisfied with the current makeup of City Council and they’re looking for a strong voice like myself to be on there, and so I’m happy to see what we’re seeing so far.”
For the at-large seat, Ken Scissors was running against Ben Van Dyke.
Van Dyke had received 7,240 votes as of 7 p.m. and Scissors received 6,261. Laura Houston, who was on the ballot for the at-large seat but ended her candidacy early, received 1,374 votes.
Van Dyke described running for office as “grueling.”
“It’s giving a lot of yourself, all the time, and that’s what being on City Council’s going to be as well,” Van Dyke said. “It’s been really eye-opening the amount of people that have supported me and been willing to step up and speak for me.
“It’s been an honor of a lifetime, honestly.”
In District D, which encompasses much of eastern Grand Junction, Laurel Cole was running unopposed and received 11,222 votes. Incumbent Dennis Simpson did not run for re-election.
Election results are scheduled to be certified Thursday.
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