Hovde wins Republican primary in Delta

DELTA —  Bruce Hovde beat out fellow Republican Mike Mason in Tuesday's primary election for Delta County's Commissioner District 2 seat.

With roughly 61 percent of the votes, Hovde had 1,969 votes and Mason received 1,245 votes, according to unofficial voting results Tuesday. The vast majority of votes were cast early via mail-in ballot.

"I'm very, very pleased. I just found out this second so I'm excited," Hovde said Tuesday.

Mason credited Hovde with a "very energetic race. He put a lot of effort into it and succeeded." He said he does not have plans to run for office again.

Hovde received enough votes to gain his party's nomination at the Republican County Assembly. Mason petitioned to appear on the ballot as a Republican after an unsuccessful bid to get the party's nomination.

Hovde will go on to challenge Democrat D. Martin Watts, and unaffiliated candidates Milton Hood and Glenn Corrigan for the District 2 seat in the general election.