Not all election races are heated sprints to the finish, as evident with several uncontested elections in La Plata County in the lead up to election night on Tuesday evening.
Residents of La Plata County had the option to voice their approval for incumbent officeholders Sean Murray, 6th Judicial District Attorney, a Democrat; Marsha Porter-Norton, county commissioner, a Democrat; and La Plata County Treasurer Moni Grushkin, unaffiliated.
In the treasurer’s race, voters also had the option of writing in whomever they pleased, although only one name, Miles Walsh, would be counted because he was the only person to file with the Colorado Secretary of State in time.
The last unofficial results released by La Plata County Clerk and Recorder’s office showed Murray and Grushkin had both received 100% of votes in the DA’s and treasurer’s office elections.
That was 21,859 votes for Murray and 21,715 votes for Grushkin.
Voters were asked “yes” or “no” to retain Kim Shropshire, 6th Judicial District judge. The 6th Judicial District includes La Plata, Archuleta and San Juan counties.
In La Plata County, “yes” votes for Shropshire hovered at 73%, and “no” votes remained at 26%. Archuleta County Clerk and Recorder’s Office reported 62% “yes” votes for retaining Shropshire and nearly 38% “no” votes. Around midnight on Wednesday, San Juan County Clerk and Recorder’s office reported nearly 77% “yes” votes for retaining Shropshire and 23% “no” votes.
The 6th Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance determined Shropshire meets performance standards in a 10-0 vote, noting feedback in surveys by attorneys and non-attorneys who appeared in her court, her comprehensive written orders and reasonable application of the law.
The position for La Plata County surveyor appeared on the ballot, but no candidates were listed, given no one stepped up to run. Current surveyor Steven McCormack plans to retire.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis appointed Murray as district attorney for the 6th Judicial District in March after former District Attorney Christian Champagne resigned to take a new job. Murray’s opponent, Jason Eley, withdrew his candidacy the next day.
Murray said Tuesday’s election hasn’t been at the top of his mind because he is uncontested. He’s been focused on his job and is looking forward to continuing victim-centered prosecution.
“We’re going to continue using our resources for the most serious offenders and offenses,” he said.
He added his office will expand its use of diversion and deferred judgments for offenders who need treatment interventions, and mental health or substance abuse evaluations.
The district attorney’s office has been short a couple of attorney positions and he’s had his hands full with the misdemeanor docket in La Plata County Court, he said.
“Hoping to get fully staffed here with attorneys in the near future so I can focus on running the office and ... helping out on the more major cases like homicides and sex assaults,” he said.
Grushkin said she did very little campaigning ahead of Tuesday, spending little money and making no attempts to raise campaign funds, partly because she didn’t see her write-in opponent Walsh campaigning and partly because she was busy working away.
“I’m very excited. I’m super excited,” she said as the first round of results came in. “I wanted to stay in the job and I’m really excited to see what the next two years bring.”
Tuesday marked the first public election Grushkin has ever participated in. She said to actually get elected to serve in a public office is a great feeling, and she’s thankful for voters’ show of confidence.
Grushkin said she would continue her work with other county departments to implement innovative ways to deal with staffing challenges, such as dedicating 50% of treasurer and clerk and recorder staff to peak hours in those departments versus hiring temporary staff members.
She is passionate about educating and informing residents so they are making informed decisions when they decide to pay or not to pay property taxes, she said.
cburney@durangoherald.com
