Voter turnout for Tuesday’s, May 19, Special District Election in Coos County was 26.19% according to unofficial final figures released late Tuesday night by the Coos County Elections Dept. in Coquille. Out of the 33,143 registered voters in the county, only 8,681 returned their mail in ballots. All three Coos Bay School District Board members who ran for re-election retained their seats. Board Chair Jill E. Christiana survived a write-in campaign for Position 4, mounted by Coos Bay businessman Steve Schneiderman following the controversy involving Superintendent Dawn Granger. Christiana received 1,947 (73.25%), while write-ins generated 711 votes (26.75%). The only other challenge was Position 7, incumbent Mary J. Fields received 1,432 Votes (51.62%) to challenger Bill Roderick’s 1,305 (47.04%). James R. Martin was not challenged for Position 3. There was a challenge for Position 5 on the Coos County Airport District Board. Incumbent John A. Briggs won with 4,471 votes (64.20%), while challenger Brent Pahls received 2,442 votes (35.07%). On the North Bend School Board, Position 3 had to candidates. Fred E. Clauson Jr. won with 1,047 votes (54.28), while Thomas Matosec received 862 (44.69%). Dr. John Muenchrath won Position 1 on the Bay Area Health District Board. Muenchrath received 3,064 votes (57.48%) to Mark Sheldon’s 2,250 (42.21%). The Election Dept. will certify the election by June 8.
