An election to watch

The 2008 election has been one of the most heated campaigns and most watched elections of all time.

On the national scene, obviously all eyes are on Barack Obama and John McCain. Around the state there are several key races that could shift the power of the house and senate.

Republican Bob Schaffer and Democrat Mark Udall are battling to take over the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Wayne Allard.

In the State Senate District 8 race, which includes Garfield County, Republican Al White is taking on Democrat Ken Brenner. Incumbent Democrat John Salazar is hoping for another term in the Third Congressional District against Republican Wayne Wolf.

For Garfield County voters, the county commissioner race has created tremendous interest and involvement.

Two commissioner seats are up for grabs in this election, and whichever way the voters of the county go, the three-commissioner board will be responsible for tackling issues in one of the most turbulent and intriguing times in the history of the region.

In District 2, the incumbent is Republican John Martin, who is looking for his fourth term on the board. He is being challenging by Garfield County native, Democrat Stephen Bershenyi. In District 3, a pair of prominent and successful Rifle men are hoping to move into the seat being vacated by Republican Larry McCown.

Republican Mike Samson and Democrat Steve Carter are the candidates campaigning for that seat.

Both commissioner seats are four-year terms.

The third commissioner is Democrat Trési Houpt, who is in the middle of her second term after being re-elected in 2006.

In today’s Post Independent, readers will get a look at the four candidates running for county commissioner and state senate District 8.

Local choices in the Nov. 4 General Election Garfield County Commissioner District 2 Commissioner John Martin, R-Glenwood Springs, or Stephen Bershenyi, D-Glenwood Springs Garfield County Commissioner, District 3 Mike Samson, R-Rifle, or Stephen Carter, D-Rifle U.S. Senator Bob Schaffer, R-Fort Collins, or Rep. Mark Udall, D-Boulder U.S. Representative, District 3 Wayne Wolf, R-Cedaredge, or Rep. John Salazar, D-Manassa State Senate District 8 Rep. Al White, R-Hayden, or Ken Brenner, D-Steamboat Springs State Representative, District 57 (Parts of Western Garfield County) Randy Baumgardner, R-Hot Sulphur Springs, will face off against R. Todd Hagenbuch, D-Phippsburg. State Representative, District 61 Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, is running unopposed Ninth Judicial District Attorney District Attorney Martin Beeson, R-Rifle, is running unopposed State Board of Education District 3 Marcia Neal, R-Grand Junction, or Jill L. Brake, D-Pueblo