MANTI — Several hundred Republican delegates gathered this past week at Manti High School Auditorium to officially kick off the 2026 campaign season in Sanpete County, selecting candidates for key local offices and signaling what is expected to be a relatively straightforward election year.

With little to no opposition expected from Democrats in this predominantly Republican county, the outcomes of the June primary elections are likely to determine who will ultimately take office following the November general election.

The most closely watched race of the evening centered on an open Sanpete County Commission seat being vacated by retiring Commissioner Scott Bartholomew. Four candidates initially stepped forward to seek the position: Sanpete County Planning Commissioner Cody Harmer, A.J. Mower, Fairview businessman Kirk Watts, and Jonnie Carter.

By the conclusion of the convention, the field had narrowed to two. Mower emerged as the leading vote-getter with 61 percent support from delegates, while Carter secured 38 percent, setting the stage for a head-to-head matchup in the June primary election.

Given the absence of Democratic challengers, the winner of that primary contest is widely expected to claim the commission seat outright.

Beyond the commission race, most other county positions drew no opposition, allowing delegates to instead express appreciation for incumbent officeholders. Sitting Commissioner Jim Cheney and County Auditor Stacy Lyon both ran unopposed and received strong support from those in attendance.

One of the evening’s most notable moments came as delegates gave a sustained round of applause to longtime County Clerk Linda Christiansen, recognizing her decades of service to the community.

In law enforcement races, County Attorney Kevin Daniels secured an automatic second term without opposition. Sheriff Jared Buchanan also retained his position following a challenge from a former deputy, effectively renewing his term.

Although unsuccessful in his bid, former Sanpete County Sheriff’s Deputy Trevor Larsen delivered remarks that resonated with many delegates. Now serving as a firefighter in American Fork, Larsen emphasized that retaining qualified deputies involves more than competitive pay.

“You’d be surprised,” Larsen told the audience. “It’s great to be able to deliver a good salary, but it’s even more important to offer a good work environment. That’s why a lot of deputies change jobs. The days of a county sheriff simply supervising a department are gone.”

He continued by underscoring the importance of community engagement in modern law enforcement.

“The county sheriff needs to be out in the community, raising awareness, creating relationships with the public, and being sensitive to the challenges of growth,” Larsen said. “You have strong law enforcement in a county when your deputies are well-managed and well-supported. That’s the kind of sheriff’s department I would like to build someday.”

Larsen’s comments come at a time when Sheriff Buchanan has been advocating for increased funding and higher salaries for his department. In recent months, those requests have met resistance from the county commission, highlighting ongoing discussions about budget priorities and public safety needs.

With most races effectively decided at the convention level, attention now turns to the June primary, where voters will choose between Mower and Carter in the county’s only contested race. For Sanpete County residents, the outcome will likely shape local leadership for years to come.