By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — Rochester will have a new clerk-treasurer in 2024 as Republicans won in the two city contested races.

Beth Stocking, Republican, defeated Democrat incumbent Shoda D. Beehler in the clerk-treasurer’s race.

In the common council District 5 race, Republican incumbent John D. Garrett held onto his seat by defeating Democrat candidate Joshua Zehner.

Looking at the clerk-treasurer’s race, Stocking received a total of 364 votes, narrowly defeating Beehler, who received 349 votes. Early vote totals showed Beehler defeating Stocking 136-122, but Stocking edged out the victory on Election Day and vote by mail votes. Stocking received 21 VBM to Beehler’s 19. On Election Day Stocking accumulated 221 votes to Beehler’s 194, giving Stocking the election win.

In the Common Council District 5 race Garrett easily carried the early, VBM and Election Day votes over Zehner. Garrett finished Election Day with 198 votes to Zehner’s 70 votes. Garrett received 87 votes in early votes cast, nine votes in the VBM tallies and 102 on Election Day. Zehner received 33, four and 33 respectively.

Unopposed candidates winning the election were Trent O’Dell, mayor; Ruth Gunter, common council district 1; Amy Roe, common council district 2; Brian Fitzwater, common council district 3; Martin Smith, common council district 4; and Robert Cannedy Jr., and Brian Goodman, common council at large seats.

There was an 18.42% voter turnout for the Rochester elections, with 717 ballots case out of the 3,892 registered voters.