Bryant wins District 2

District 2 County Commissioner Jim Bryant was elected to another four-year term today, winning his district with a solid majority of voters.

With all local precincts reporting, Bryant took 62 percent of the vote to the 38 percent claimed by challenger Paul Reese.

It was the first time the three-term commissioner faced a challenger since being elected in 1998.

"I'm very pleased and I'm very thankful for everyone that voted for me," he said.

Reese, a farmer from rural Goodhue and active member of anti-wind development group Goodhue Wind Truth, expressed deep frustration with his loss, saying he did not understand why voters had opted to reelect the longtime commissioner.

Bryant was one of two commissioners to vote against at county ordinance that imposed rigid standards on large-scale wind development.

"I was beat by somebody who doesn't stand for anything," said Reese.

Bryant said his work on issues beyond wind development resonated with voters.

"There are a broad range of things that we're dealing with on a daily, weekly and monthly basis," he said.

Tags: goodhue county, news, elections