Election night winners share their reactions

Winners of various races that spanned across Nye County and well beyond its boundaries on Tuesday shared their post-victory comments with the Pahrump Valley Times in the aftermath of the contest.

The results of Nevada’s primary election for Nye County began trickling in close to midnight on Tuesday after they were held up by a technical issue. A late-night election watch party at Nye County Republican Headquarters brought a group of people who patiently waited for results.

District III incumbent Commissioner Donna Cox was declared the winner of the contentious race shortly after 11 p.m. to the loud cheers of those gathered at Nye County Republican Headquarters.

Cox captured 34.3 percent with 258 votes, while her nearest opponent, Leo Blundo, got close to 29 percent with 217 votes.

“We are back in business,” Cox said following the announcement of her victory.

District I incumbent Commissioner Lorinda Wichman defeated her primary opponent, Scott Mattox, winning her fourth term on the commission board. Wichman, of Round Mountain, thanked supporters and contributors to her campaign in an email statement.

“It wouldn’t be worth doing if I didn’t have you to do it for and with,” she said about her supporters. “My last term will be strong or stronger than the previous two.”

Pahrump Regional Planning Commission Chairman John Koenig cruised to an easy victory in District II with over 56 percent of the vote. The nearest runner-up, former Pahrump Town Board member Amy Riches was in a second distant place with 17.6 percent.

“I’m extremely happy that people picked me,” Koenig said in a phone interview. “I’m the best person qualified for the job, I have experience and the background, and I’ll be ready on day one.”

Koenig said he will work closely with outgoing incumbent Commissioner Frank Carbone to stay “up-to-date on everything going on.”

In November’s general election, Koenig will square off against a Democrat, former Pahrump Town Board Chairman Harley Kulkin. Wichman and Cox will not have an opponent on the November ballot.

Nevada Assembly District 36 incumbent Assemblyman James Oscarson eked out a close victory with 46.5 percent over his main rival, first-time candidate Tina Trenner, who captured 43 percent.

“I’m honored and humbled to have won yesterday’s Republican primary. As we knew from the outset, this was going to be a very tough race,” Oscarson said in an email statement to the Pahrump Valley Times. “I cannot express enough gratitude for the supporters who stuck by me during the past many months. It was a joy to work with you and to get to know so many of the wonderful people who call District 36 home.”

Trenner, an opponent of the tax package that was supported by Oscarson, won Nye County with 50 percent of the vote against Oscarson’s 43 percent. Oscarson however had a decisive victory in Clark County with 58 percent over Trenner’s 24 percent. In Lincoln County, also part of the vast Assembly District 36, Oscarson won almost 59 percent to Trenner’s 26 percent.

In his statement, Oscarson also paid respects to Trenner and his other opponent, Rusty Stanberry.

“They worked tirelessly and their supporters should be proud of their efforts. I hope to work with them in the coming months as we seek to unify the party for the general election,” he said.

Oscarson will face brothel owner Dennis Hof in the general election in November. Hof filed for the race as a Libertarian.

Nevada State Senator Ruben Kihuen emerged as a winner from the heated congressional race in Nevada’s Congressional District 4. Kihuen, a Democrat, soundly beat his two top in-party rivals, former Assemblywoman Lucy Flores and philanthropist Susie Lee.

Kihuen received 40 percent of the vote across various counties that encompass Nevada’s Congressional District 4. Flores got 25.6 percent of the vote and Lee got 21 percent.

In Nye County, Lee however was slightly ahead of Kihuen. She received 31 percent of the vote against Kihuen’s 29.5 percent of the vote.

“I am humbled by tonight’s victory,” Kihuen said in a statement on Tuesday. “Our campaign resonated with thousands of Nevadans who are working hard every day to achieve the American dream and they deserve representation that will fight for their values and their families. Our campaign was a true team effort and I want to express my deepest thanks to our team - all of the volunteers, contributors, friends and family who made tonight possible.

In November, Kihuen will compete against incumbent Congressman Cresent Hardy, who is seeking his second term. Hardy, a Republican, defeated his in-party challenger Mike Monroe on Tuesday.

Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto and Republican Joe Heck also clinched decisive victories Tuesday night. In November, the two will compete for the highly-coveted seat of outgoing U.S. Senator Harry Reid.

Cortez Masto got close to 73 percent in Nye County and over 80 percent statewide, while Heck captured 60 percent in Nye County and 65 percent across the state.

Both released statements following their Tuesday wins.

“This primary was about one thing: selecting the best person to beat Harry Reid’s hand-picked successor in November. I’m grateful for the strong showing of support from Republicans around the state and will carry the momentum of tonight into the general election,” Heck said.

“I am extremely thankful to all the Nevadans who supported me to be their next U.S. senator and voted in this primary. Voting is a reminder of the values of freedom and democracy upon which America was founded and I commend all those who participated in the primary election. I also commend all the candidates who decided to make a difference by running for office this year,” Cortez Masto said.

The general election is on Nov. 8.

Contact reporter Daria Sokolova at dsokolova@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @dariasokolova77