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2 contested county board incumbents defeated
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MONROE - The Green County Board of Supervisors will have at least five new members starting April 15.

Two incumbents were defeated in elections Tuesday, and another three candidates were elected in districts where incumbents did not seek another two-year term. A sixth newcomer to the board could be revealed Thursday in District 29, where there were no candidates on the ballot Tuesday. Nine write-in votes were cast Tuesday, the results of which won't be known until the Green County Board of Canvass meets at 9 a.m. Thursday.

In District 3, John Glynn received about 71 percent of the votes to defeat incumbent Gene Curran, 99-41.

Glynn said he was surprised at the margin of victory, but disappointed in the low voter turnout.

"I appreciate the confidence voters in my district had in me to vote for me," Glynn said.

Glynn said he wants to focus on making county government more transparent, including more minute taking and more input from the public.

Curran said he wished Glynn good luck. He said Glynn would do a good job.

"I know this election could be one of those situations where the public could make a statement," Curran said.

Curran didn't rule out another run for supervisor in the future, but hinted it's unlikely.

"You never want to say anything's forever, but I was asked to do this job four years ago," Curran said. "It's very time-consuming and it's good to have a rotation of people going in and out."

In District 16, Sherry Fiduccia garnered 58 percent of the votes to defeat incumbent Jeff Thomm, 100-73.

Fiduccia said she won because Monroe wants something different.

"I think Monroe is looking for a change," she said.

Three incumbents held onto their seats Tuesday.

In District 6, Michael Furgal received 52 percent of the vote, defeating Stewart Strait, 56-51.

Furgal described the election as a difficult one and said the Justice Center was an issue on the voters' minds. However, Furgal said he didn't think there was overwhelming support or opposition to the Justice Center.

"It doesn't look like there was a mandate," he said of the voters' response to the issue.

Furgal, who has served on the Green County Board of Supervisors since 1989, said he wants to continue to work for the voters of his district.

"People in the district need to talk to me to let me know how they want me to vote," he said.

In District 11, incumbent Oscar Olson received 59 percent of the vote, defeating Kelly Bartels, 101-70.

Olson said he was satisfied with the results.

"The Justice Center was a big issue. People were concerned, and I suppose I lost a little support on that. But we have to stay positive and move forward," Olson said. "We have to stay current, and we can't let our county fall short of services."

In District 23, incumbent Russ Torkelson received 65 percent of the vote, defeating Patrick O'Brien, 182-99.

Torkelson believes the Monticello school referendum got people out to vote and said the large spread in votes suggests most people were satisfied with the job he has been doing.

"I know some people are dissaatisfied with the Justice Center, but I hope they see in the long run it's good for the county," Torkelson said.

In races without incumbents, Randall Iverson defeated John A. Frantz, 84-41, or 67 percent to 33 percent, in District 4.

Iverson said the issue in his district was about the justice center.

"The people I talked to were mostly concerned with the new justice center," Iverson said.

"I appreciate the fact Dr. Frantz ran; he's up on his civic duties. I look forward to serving the people," Iverson said.

In District 14, Gary Davis defeated Peter Condon, 101-34.

Davis said he was "pleasantly surprised" by the results.

Davis, who served on the Jefferson township board, said he's used to working with people.

"I'm excited about it," he said of his win. "I'm looking forward to it. It's something I've wanted to do for a while now."

Another board newcomer, Patrick Davis, ran unopposed in District 12. Of the board's 31 districts, 23 had uncontested candidates and District 29 had no names on the ballot.

The Green County Clerk's office reported that voter turnout was 18 percent.