The Dust Settles (Mostly): Eagle's Election Night Unofficial Results Point to a New Chapter

Well, here we are, watching the numbers trickle in from Eagle’s latest municipal election, and it looks like the local political scene is in for a bit of a shake-up. Or, you know, a confirmation of things we might have suspected. Whatever the case, it’s always interesting to see how these things play out, isn't it?

As the unofficial results rolled in on election night – April 2, for those keeping track – a clear picture began to emerge for the mayoral race. Current Town Council member Bryan Woods, it appears, is well on his way to securing the top spot. He’s held a pretty significant lead over his challenger, Sarah Thall, who’s currently serving on the Planning & Zoning Commission. Honestly, when the vote counts started coming in, it was a rather decisive margin, Woods pulling in a strong 1,349 votes to Thall’s 706. That's, shall we say, a comfortable cushion for Woods, setting him up to lead Eagle into its next chapter.

But hey, the mayoral race wasn't the only show in town, was it? Not by a long shot. Three coveted seats on the Town Council were also up for grabs, and here, the story got a touch more complex, a little more nail-biting for some of the hopefuls. Gina McCrackin, an incumbent, seems to have effortlessly sailed through, leading the pack with an impressive 1,294 votes. For once, an incumbent actually strengthened her position, which is always something to note.

Now, the real drama? That was unfolding for the remaining two council spots. You had Anthony Or Gardner, a familiar face in the community, Randy Stafford, another incumbent with a long history on the council, and Janice Urban, also an incumbent, all vying for those spots. The numbers here were tight, oh so very tight. Gardner tallied 869 votes, while Stafford managed 854, and Urban secured 829. And, for context, close behind them were Kevin Brubeck with 753 and Ian Patton with 748 votes. What a race, truly! It underscores just how much every single vote can matter, especially when it comes down to just a handful separating candidates. It’s enough to make you hold your breath, isn’t it?

It’s worth remembering that these are, of course, unofficial results. The election process, bless its heart, demands patience, and the final, certified numbers will come out later in April. But barring any truly unforeseen circumstances – and you never say never, but usually, these leads hold – it seems Woods will be trading his council seat for the mayor's chair, and McCrackin will retain her spot. The others? Well, they'll have to wait for the final, official word, though it looks promising for Stafford and Urban to rejoin McCrackin.

Woods, who first moved to Eagle two decades ago and joined the council in 2020, brings a certain familiarity to the mayoral role. And Thall, his challenger, with her small business background and P&Z experience, certainly brought her own strengths to the table. McCrackin, for her part, was appointed to the council in 2023 and is now looking at a full term. And Gardner, a long-time resident and local business owner, has always been deeply involved in community affairs. It’s a mix of experience and fresh perspectives, which is, honestly, what good local governance is all about.

So, there you have it. The initial picture of Eagle's political future, as painted by the ballots. It’s a story of leads, tight races, and the ever-present, sometimes exhilarating, unpredictability of local democracy. A new chapter, for sure, is about to begin in Eagle, Colorado.