Incumbents Kelly Wilson and Kent Lindsay soundly defeated two challengers for two open county-commission seats Tuesday.

In District 2 Lindsay, a Republican, was re-elected over Democrat Tony Valdez by a vote of 5,776 to 3,136 (65 to 35 percent).

Democratic incumbent Wilson earned 4,914 votes (58 percent), beating out Independent candidate Darrell Veach for the right to represent District 3. Veach garnered 3,600 votes (42 percent).

"Frankly, I was very pleased by the number of supporters," Lindsay said of his victory. "With all the controversy surrounding gravel pits and the new monument, what this means to me is that we are on the right track with the people on the decisions we’re making."

Lindsay campaigned on his experience as a commissioner and his moderating skills during heated issues. The next four years will no doubt bring more controversy and challenge, he said.

"It won’t be easy," he said. "Growth will again top the list and I believe we are dealing with that pretty well right now. We’re going to grow, no question, so we better be ready, and I think we’re getting there. I feel comfortable with the decisions we’ve made."

Lindsay commended his opponent for a good race.

"I applaud Tony for learning the issues and regularly coming to the meetings," he said. "It is so important for candidates to be informed and I think he did a good job there."

Wilson, who like Lindsay had supported a controversial gravel pit in the Dolores Valley as well as a bill to create a national conservation area instead of a monument west of Cortez, was proud of the turnout in favor of him and Lindsay, pointing to that support as proof they are doing the right things.

"I think it shows that we are hitting the issues head-on and we’re not backing away from controversy," Wilson said. "That is what we plan to do for the next four years.