The race for Boulder County Commissioner is close enough to require a recount, but Ashley Stolzmann is the anticipated winner.
The June 28 primary for the Democratic commissioner candidate — the presumed winner of the November election as no Republicans ran for office — is split by only 68 votes or a roughly 0.1% margin. This requires an automatic recount, according to the Boulder County Clerk.
On Thursday, the clerk released the last round of unofficial results for the primaries with a total of 80,389 ballots counted. With those counts, Stolzmann, commissioner candidate and current mayor of Louisville, won the primary against Elaina Shively 27,870 to 27,802.
Following the release of the unofficial results, Shively conceded the election in a statement.
“I am honored and humbled by the over 27,800 Boulder County voters who trusted me and shared my vision for the future of Boulder County where everyone can thrive,” she said. “... I wish the very best for my opponent and the residents of Boulder County, especially as we address pressing issues like housing access and affordability, the climate crisis and transportation.”
Stolzmann did not respond to a request for comment.
The recount process won’t begin until after the July 12 audit and July 18 certification meeting, though it is not expected to overturn the current results. The clerk’s office estimates that the recount will take place the week of July 25 and possibly carry over in Aug. 1 and 2, with the deadline to complete being Aug. 2.
Stolzmann is the likely winner of the November election, unless an unaffiliated candidate garners enough signatures to get on the ballot. She would take over from current Commissioner Matt Jones, who did not run for reelection, in January.
