Hunt claims nomination in Dunkirk (05/09/07)

DUNKIRK - Heavy equipment operator Ron Hunt will take on incumbent Republican Sam Hubbard in November in the race for mayor of Dunkirk.

Crown City Democrats favored Hunt, 52, over Raymond Pettus Sr. by large margins in Tuesday's primary election. Hunt, a 30-year resident of Dunkirk who is employed at Meshberger Brothers Stone Corp. in Portland, came away with 101 votes to 64 for Pettus.

Incumbent Democratic city council member from District 3 Craig Faulkner won by even larger margins in his victory over challenger Richard Buckner.

Faulkner, 54, serves currently as council president and is employed at Saint-Gobain Glass Containers in Dunkirk. He captured 112 votes to Buckner's 57.

In terms of percentages, Hunt received more than 61 percent of the Democratic ballots cast in the primary, while Faulkner received more than 66 percent.

Hunt ran strongest in Dunkirk 1 where he received 55 votes to Pettus's 26, for nearly 68 percent of the vote. In Dunkirk 3, it was Hunt with 46 and Pettus with 38.

Despite the low voter turnout, Hunt said he believed the totals reflected a "pretty good showing," and he was looking forward to preparing for the general election in November.

Faulkner, meanwhile, ran strongest in Dunkirk 3.

There he received 57 votes to Buckner's 27, for more than 67 percent of the vote. In Dunkirk 1, it was Faulkner with 55 and Buckner with 30.

Faulkner said he was working the 2 to 10 p.m. shift Tuesday, and came home to find numerous congratulatory messages on his answering machine. "I want to thank all the voters," he said.

Dunkirk Republicans had no contested races in the primary.

There are still some vacancies on the ballot, but parties have until noon on June 30 to hold a caucus of precinct committee members and slate additional candidates.

Here's how the November election shapes up at this point:

In the race for mayor, it will be Republican Hubbard vs. Democrat Hunt.

In the race for clerk-treasurer, Democratic incumbent Jane Kesler is currently unopposed.

In the race for city judge, Republican Tommy "Chip" Phillips II is unopposed.

In District 1 city council, incumbent Democrat Larry Joe Smith is unopposed. In District 2, Democrat Judy Garr is unopposed. In District 3, Democrat Faulkner will face Republican Charmaine M. O'Conner. In District 4, no candidate has filed for either party. In the council at-large race, Democrat Tom Johnson is currently unopposed.[[In-content Ad]]Primary voting in Portland was limited to one party and two precincts Tuesday, but Republican voters were decisive in their choices.

Donald P. Gillespie received all but three votes in his bid for the GOP nomination for the District 4 seat on the Portland City Council. Final totals showed Gillespie with 36 votes to 3 for Dennis Mason Jr. Gillespie will face Democrat Randy Geesaman in the general election.

Kent McClung handily defeated Mike Weesner by a vote of 70-17 to win the Republican nomination for the District 7 city council seat. McClung will face Democrat Michael Martin in November.

Here's how the Portland general election ballot shapes up:

Incumbent Republican mayor Bruce Hosier faces a challenge from Democrat Jim Sanders, currently a member of city council.

Democrat Linda Kennedy is unopposed for re-election as clerk-treasurer, and Republican Michele "Micky" Pensinger is unopposed for re-election as city judge.

In city council District 1, incumbent Republican Bill Gibson faces a challenge from Democrat Teresa A. Watters. Republican Todd A. Nichols is unopposed for the District 2 seat. In District 3, Republican Michael Brewster faces Democrat Jerry Leonhard. Gillespie and Geesaman square off in District 4, and McClung and Martin will contest for District 7. In the council-at-large race, Republican Kip Robinette faces Democrat Judith L. Aker.