Mayor Sweetie Marbury and Councilor Dick White won re-election to the Durango City Council on Tuesday night.
The two incumbents closely defeated challengers Dave McHenry and Sean Waddell.
Marbury became emotional as she reflected on her four years in office and waited for the election results to be read. Afterward, she felt “just happy and grateful.”
“I really appreciate anyone who came out and voted,” she said.
White attracted 1,974 votes, or 27.5 percent of the vote, and Marbury won 1,938 and 27 percent of the vote.
McHenry attracted 1,799 votes, 25 percent, and Waddell garnered 1,475, 20.5 percent. Each voter was asked to vote for two candidates, so the total number of votes cast for all the City Council candidates was 7,186.
The election was a high point for turnout with 3,954 total ballots cast – the most cast in any election since 2001. About 38 percent of all registered voters participated, according to the preliminary results.
After his win, White promised to continue to be a thoughtful decision-maker and make sustainability a priority for the city again.
The council was busy updating the land-use code among many other priorities over the last few years, he said.
He wasn’t surprised by the outcome, but his campaign also worked hard to get out the vote, placing about 800 phone calls over the weekend.
“I was confident but couldn’t afford to be complacent,” White said.
Marbury knocked on many doors during the election period and stood apart for her reserved positions on major construction projects. She promised to support remodels of the Durango-La Plata County Airport and sewer plant to keep fees and taxes as low as possible.
In the most recent budget cycle, she also was the lone voice fighting to keep the trolley free, which is now $1 per ride. If she had lost the election, she had pledged to continue fighting for it.
Moving forward, she said she hopes that the council will continue positive relations with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, The Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Fort Lewis College.
“It’s been a privilege and an honor to be on City Council,” she said.
While the incumbents celebrated their win, the challengers promised to stay involved in city politics.
Though he lost, McHenry said he planned to remain active with Citizens for Healthy Established Neighborhoods.
The group was active in the debate about accessory dwelling units and vacation rentals. He said the establishment of a habitability code would improve the quality of rental housing.
McHenry said he was glad to see the race come to a close.
“It’s been a very interesting journey. I had no idea it would involve as much work and stress as it has,” he said.
Waddell echoed McHenry’s sentiments, saying he would like to remain active to prevent management decisions that led to a need for major utility-rate increases.
“We don’t want another situation like the sewer rates,” he said.
The election results bring to a close campaigns that started in late February.
The newly re-elected councilors will be formally sworn into office April 21.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
