Scott Mangold

Kelly Simone

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Incumbent Scott Mangold and challenger Kelly Simone won the two Park County Commission seats up for grabs Thursday night in the Republican primary, topping a six-candidate field.

Simone was the top vote getter with 3,898 votes (26.89%) with Mangold receiving 3,270 (22.56%), more than 800 above the third place finisher. With no Democrats running and no announced independents or third party candidates, the two are likely headed to commission seats in January.

For Simone, a physician’s assistant for Powell Valley Healthcare and Billings Clinic in Cody, the commission is another in a political career that has included two terms on the Park County School District 6 board in Cody and a term currently being served on the West Park Hospital District Board.

“I feel very blessed and fortunate and honored to have received these votes from the people of Park County,” she said. “I will be a voice for our residents — Help them engage in meaningful input with our county’s processes.

I’m very excited.”

For Mangold, co-owner of KPOW radio station in Powell, it’ll be his final term on the commission as he has imposed a two-term limit on each political position he occupies. The City of Powell resident and former mayor previously said one of his main goals for the new term is to see through the regulations process stemming from the new Park County Land Use Plan.

“I’m happy that I was supported by the people of Park County,” Mangold said, adding that he was happy he was able to do well on a small budget. “I’m happy people thought about me when they went down to place their vote.”

The two beat out a field of candidates that otherwise included mostly political newcomers.

Karin Richard, a Cody resident and owner of a used outdoors store, received 2,432 votes (16.78%). She said she was running to provide a voice for those not in positions of power or leadership in the county and to ensure their money was not misused.

“I’m humbled and honored by all the people who did vote for me,” she said, adding “I congratulate the two new commissioners and wish them the best as they go forward in their positions.”

While she was disappointed at her loss, she said she was thrilled with how many “principled conservatives” won across the state.

JP Jones, a Cody resident, Lion’s Club and fair advisory board member and former manager of both the Powell and Cody Fremont Ford locations, received 2,039 votes (14.06%). He ran a campaign in large part on the regulations stemming from the land use plan and a desire to ensure private property rights were protected.

Casey Edwards, a Cody tattoo shop owner and gold miner, received 1,955 votes (13.49%). He tailored his campaign similar to that of Richard, saying he was running to ensure average people could still afford to live in Cody.

And Tanner Beemer, general manager of Blanca Tatanka restaurant in Cody, received 850 votes (5.86%).

All but Beemer (who listed no expenses) campaigned widely for the position, attending forums and debates, handing out campaign signage and purchasing advertising.

Richard and Edwards were chosen by the Conservative Roundup PAC as part of its slate of candidates.

Money and previous board service seemed to pay off to some extent, as Simone was the top spender at $7,399, with JP Jones second at $5,580.68 spent by the Aug. 13 reporting date, with a total of $6,239.88 in contributions available.

Edwards and Richard both spent roughly $1,500, while Mangold spent just a little over $1,000.

Early and absentee voting was heavily in favor of Simone and Mangold, with Simone getting 1,368 votes (28.75%) and Mangold 1,072 votes (22.53%), with  Richard the third most with 778 votes (16.35%). Jones had 620 early votes (13.03%), Edwards 594 (12.48%) and Beemer 301 (6.32%).