JARED MILLER Star-Tribune capital bureau | Posted: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 12:00 am
CHEYENNE - Rep. David Zwonitzer and former state lawmaker Bryan Pedersen, both of Cheyenne, easily defeated their opponents in Tuesday's Republican primary election races for the state House of Representatives.
Zwonitzer defended his House District 9 seat against Republican challenger Marirose Morris, an arts administrator from Cheyenne. The final unofficial vote tally was 529-235.
Zwonitzer, who owns an auctioneer business, said he is excited by the win and plans to continue an extensive door-do-door campaign drive ahead of the November general election.
"We represent the people, and I think the only way you can do that is by going door to door," said Zwonitzer, who faces Democrat Anthony M. Reyes in the general election. House District 9 encompasses a portion of northeast Cheyenne.
Pedersen defeated Jeff Matthews of Cheyenne in the House District 7 Republican primary. The final unofficial vote tally was 789-362.
Pedersen is a financial consultant in Cheyenne. He served in the Legislature from 2005-06 before moving out of his district. Matthews, a political newcomer, works for Red Cross of Wyoming.
Pedersen faces Democrat Ken Tuma and Libertarian Clair A. Schwan in the general election. House District 7 includes northwestern Laramie County and a portion of Cheyenne. Incumbent Rep. Doug Samuelson didn't seek re-election for that seat.
In the hotly contested race for House District 3 in Platte and Converse counties, Douglas attorney Frank Peasley easily defeated Randy Stevenson, a livestock and feedlot owner in Wheatland, and Kirby Wilson, a mini-storage owner in Wheatland, in the Republican primary.
The final unofficial vote tally was Peasley 1038, Stevenson 608 and Wilson 275.
On the Democratic ticket in House District 3, Terry R. Jones, a farmer from Wheatland, defeated small business owner Laurell Marker. The final unofficial vote tally was 377-123. Peasley and Marker will face off in the general election.
House District 3 encompasses southern and western Platte County, as well as a section of southern Converse County that includes a portion of Douglas. Incumbent Rep. Deborah Alden of Wheatland is not running for re-election.
In House District 6 in Converse County, small business owner Richard Cannady of Glenrock defeated Converse County Commissioner Mark Cash in the Republican Primary. The final unofficial vote tally was 881-682.
The winner faces Chase Anfinson of Glenrock in the general election.
House District 6 encompasses all but the southeastern corner of Converse County. Incumbent Rep. Dave Edwards, who served eight years in the Legislature, moved out of the district.
Contact Jared Miller at 307-632-1244 or jared.miller@trib.com.