Unofficial results are in for two key local races in Penn Valley, though it could take weeks before the final tallies are announced.
At the Penn Valley Union Elementary School District, newcomers Jonathan Pitts and Lisa Krason, as well as incumbent Sharon Loucks, were leading the tally in the Nevada County Elections Office’s election night count.
Five candidates were running for three seats.
Pitts, a Penn Valley native who works as a battalion chief in the local fire protection district, garnered 2,206 votes, or 33.5% of the total.
Lisa Krason, who will also be new to the board if elected, secured 1,653 votes, or 25.1% of the total.
Incumbent Sharon Loucks won 1,263 votes, or 19.2% of the total. She was appointed to the board in 2019.
Stacy Luke garnered 780 votes, which amounted to 11.9%, while Jennifer Jargick won 676 votes, or 10.3%.
Five candidates were running for two seats on the Penn Valley Fire Protection District Board of Directors.
As of election night, incumbent Forrest Hurd was leading with 1,429 votes, or 25.7% of the total.
As the board met on Tuesday night before election results were out, Hurd spoke as if it might be his last session on the panel.
Now, his campaign website has been updated to thank the residents of Penn Valley and Rough and Ready for voting for him in the first election since the two towns’ fire protection districts merged earlier this year.
“We did it!” he wrote.
“With your support, I earned the opportunity to continue serving on the Penn Valley Fire Protection District Board and helping make sure the fire protection, ambulance service, and long-term needs of our communities remain the first priority.”
Veteran firefighter Doug Wittler earned 1,395 votes, or 25.1% of the total.
Wittler previously served on the board of the Rough and Ready Fire Protection District and was on the committee for the merger.
Rob Tribble won 1,069 votes, or 19.2% of the total.
Greta Schimmel garnered 914 votes worth 16.4%, and incumbent Bruce Stephenson received 756 votes, or 13.6%.
Certified results are expected between Nov. 25 and Dec. 3.
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