Incumbent Jeremy Smail wins GOP nomination for Gilpin supervisors

Incumbent Gilpin Supervisor Jeremy Smail won his Republican primary race Tuesday by a wide margin, unofficial results showed.

Smail, 38, was appointed to the board about 18 months ago. On Tuesday, he received 153 votes, according to unofficial Armstrong County election results. That amounted to about 73% of the ballots cast.

Smail had two challengers, Renee E. Hileman, who received about 14% of the votes counted, and Justin Rishel, who received about 13%, the unofficial tallies showed.

The only Democratic challenger who appeared on Tuesday’s ballot, Susan Camp Brown, died unexpectedly in March. She got 72 votes on Tuesday, according to the unofficial results.

Smail said he was appreciative that voters showed confidence in him.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to be on the Republican ballot in the fall,” he said. “I appreciate the nomination and the support.”

If elected, Smail said he hopes to continue working on the township’s budget and improving municipal departments. For example, he said Gilpin’s road crew is in need of more up-to-date equipment.

Smail said he also hopes to find new ways to attract more businesses and amenities, which he said could entice new families to move to Gilpin.