Primary election sets November matchups for Cheyenne City Council, Pine Bluffs races

CHEYENNE — Several local races were narrowed Tuesday as Laramie County voters cast ballots in the primary election, setting the November matchups for three Cheyenne City Council seats and determining the candidates who will advance in Pine Bluffs’ mayoral and town council races.

Cheyenne City Council Ward 1

Maren Kallas and Rhianna Brand were the top two vote-getters out of nine candidates in Cheyenne City Council’s Ward 1, with 792 and 482 votes, respectively, meaning they will be on the ballot in November. Aaron Fiore received the third-most votes at 437.

“The real work begins now,” Kallas said. “I’m excited to just get out there and get to know my constituents even more, and see what they truly care about, what they need. … I have a clear path forward. I’m excited.”

Cheyenne City Council member Larry Wolfe currently represents Ward 1 after being appointed to the position in November following the death of previous seat-holder Scott Roybal. Wolfe is not seeking election.

Regarding the remaining candidates who will not advance to the general election, Cameron Karajanis received 391 votes; Michael Reyes received 342 votes; J.C. Manalo got 337 votes; Travis French got 282 votes; Jimmy Chiro received 169 votes; and Landon Miller received 149 votes.

Cheyenne City Council Ward 2

Janelle Rose was the top vote-getter out of three candidates for one seat on the Cheyenne City Council from Ward 2 with 2,987 votes. She will be on the ballot in November against Lynn Storey-Huylar, who received the second-most votes at 1,953.

“I’m really interested in bringing trust back to the people, to give them a voice, to listen and represent them,” said Storey-Huylar. “... I am a great proponent of serving and giving back to my community, and I feel it’s the highest honor you give back to your community.”

The remaining candidate who will not advance is Christopher Camargo, who received 997 votes.

Cheyenne City Council Ward 3

Incumbent Ken Esquibel was the top vote-getter out of four candidates for Cheyenne City Council’s Ward 3 seat with 1,525 votes, meaning he will be on the ballot in November against Bill Bryant, who received 972 votes.

“We’ll continue to do what we’ve been doing,” Esquibel said. “... I won the battle, but now I have to win the war. ... I just thank the voters of Ward 3. You can count on visiting with me over the next couple of months as I continue doing my campaign.”

Esquibel has served on the City Council since 2018. Bryant has never served on the council.

“I’m feeling pretty confident,” Bryant said. “This is my first campaign, and I’ve learned a lot working on the primary. I’m going to take a few days off to get my thoughts in order and wait for the final precinct numbers to settle, and then reevaluate my strategy and move on from there.”

Of the remaining two candidates who will not advance, Matthew Hurt received 632 votes, and Joshua Christopherson received 440.

Pine Bluffs Mayor

Dennis Michaud was the top vote-getter out of two for Pine Bluffs mayor with 222 votes. Janna Kestner came in second with 100.

However, because two are required to advance and only two filed for candidacy, both will move on to the November general election.

Pine Bluffs Town Council

The Pine Bluffs Town Council has two open seats this election, and two candidates filed, so both will advance.

Amy Currie was the top vote-getter with 291 votes, and David Crouse got 285 votes.