RIFLE ” Jay Rickstrew had contrasting emotions Tuesday night.

As the Garfield School District Re-2 board of education candidate received news that he had won the District B seat, he also learned that Re-2’s mill levy override ballot question failed.

Rickstrew won the seat vacated by District B board member Sally Brands. His opponent, Rifle architect Nancy Whitcombe, wasn’t available for comment.

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“Absolutely,” he said, when asked if he supported 3B, the mill levy override, which would have supplied the school district with $4 million more a year in funds to operate and support competitive staff salaries.

Rickstrew, 34, who is the president of Alpine Bank’s Rifle branch, accepted hugs and slaps on the back from well-wishers at the school district’s election headquarters at Columbine Restaurant at the Rifle Creek Golf Course.

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“I’m happy to accept the nomination,” he said. “The district has a lot of challenges ahead with 3B not passing. I’m surprised at 3B’s outcome, since this district has always had the support of the community with bond issues. They’ve never asked for a mill levy before this. I don’t know if the community realizes the demands put on this and every other district by the state.”

Re-2 incumbent Jan Hubbell from District C was disappointed with the outcome of the 3B vote, but was elated with the appointment of Rickstrew.

“I am thrilled,” she said of Rickstrew’s nomination. “We need a new person on the board. All of us are completely overwhelmed with the way this thing went. It’s time for a new light and perspective, and we have that with Jay. His financial background and caring for the community is really what we need right now.”

Voters also re-elected incumbent board members Jan Hubbell, 50, of Rifle and Howard Stapleton, 65, of Silt. They were running unopposed.

Re-2 School board

District B

Nancy Whitcombe, 1,520, 43 percent

Jay Rickstrew, 1,986, 57 percent

District C

Jan Hubbell, 3,073, 100 percent

District D

Howard Stapleton, 2,942, 100 percent