Jim Candelaria Wins Only Republican Spot on 2018 Montezuma County Commissioner Ballot

Local builder Jim Candelaria was the only candidate who made it on to the primary ballot in the race for an open county-commission seat during the Montezuma County Republican assembly Friday. The Cortez Journal reports that two other hopefuls failed to garner enough votes to make the ballot. One of those was current incumbent James Lambert, who reportedly said he will drop out of the race. Former county coroner Charlie Rosenbaugh told the Journal he would try to get enough signatures to petition onto the June 26th primary ballot. On the Democratic side, M.B. McAfee of Lewis was chosen unanimously at her party’s assembly to be the District 1 commission candidate. Meanwhile, Steve Chappell Junior, who is unaffiliated, has announced he will also run for the position, which could make for a three-way race in November. Chappell is the son of former Commissioner Steve Chappell, who served two terms from 2007 through 2014.