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Jim Roscoe hugs his wife Jane Baldwin at the Flying Saddle Resort in Alpine on Tuesday night, surrounded by supporters like Hank Phibbs, left. Democrat Roscoe beat Charles Stough in a historic revote to become the representative for House District 22. The unofficial tally came to 320-163. NEWS&GUIDE PHOTO / PRICE CHAMBERS

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Wilson Democrat Jim Roscoe beat Sublette County Republican Charles Stough for the House District 22 seat after handily winning a revote in the Alpine precinct.

Roscoe won the special election in Alpine by a 320-163 margin, according to unofficial results published by the Lincoln County Clerk’s Office. The difference gives Roscoe a total of 2,843 votes to Stough’s 2,727 votes.

“I am humbled and honored,” Roscoe said in an interview after learning of the results. “I had a whole lot of help.”

The State Canvassing Board will meet at 10 a.m. on Dec. 3 in Cheyenne to consider certifying the results.

In the general election, Roscoe beat Stough by four votes, 2,991 to 2,887, and took the Alpine precinct by a 368-323 margin.

The revote was called after it was discovered that 11 people had voted incorrectly in the Alpine precinct, almost three times the four-vote difference between the two men after unofficial results were tallied after the general election Nov. 4.

The final tally was just the latest in what became months of ups and downs on the campaign trail, Roscoe said.

“When I started out I was optimistic because I work with a lot of people in Sublette County, Alpine, Bondurant and I thought I would at least have a 50-50 chance,” he said. “As I started going door to door, I found out it was really, really a huge disadvantage to be a Democrat, and I realized if didn’t talk to a lot of people I wouldn’t stand a chance because people would be voting straight Republican without knowing either candidate.”

The Alpine race was largely decided by voter turnout, with 691 people voting in the general election and 483 casting ballots in the revote. Roscoe dropped only 48 votes, while Stough dropped 160 in the second election.

His volunteers, including supporters from Alpine, Hoback Junction, Sublette County and Wilson, held signs in Hoback Junction during the evening commute encouraging people to vote, went door to door to remind people to vote and even offered to drive people to the polls, Roscoe said. He attributed his victory to the efforts of his volunteers.

“They really worked hard, today especially,” Roscoe said. “They hit it hard right when people got home from work.”

Stough was uncharacteristically out-gunned in the general election and revote. Republicans usually enjoy an advantage in fundraising and party resources over Democrats in the Cowboy State.

Roscoe, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary, raised and spent at least $31,000 during the primary and general election cycles.

Stough raised and spent at least $14,500, but had to fight off a challenger in the Republican primary, according to records filed with the Wyoming Secretary State’s Office before the general election.

The Wyoming Democratic Party also retained a staffer in northwest Wyoming for an extra two weeks after the general election to help campaign and coordinate volunteers.

“The volunteers and our one field worker that was working for Roscoe did an amazing job,” said Bill Luckett, executive director of the Wyoming Democratic Party. “We knew there would be a drop-off, there always is, but we got most of our voters back to the polls.”

Both men canvassed the precinct intently in the days leading up to the revote. In addition, Stough and Roscoe had tried to keep their names, faces and positions on key issues in front of voters through print and radio ads since it was announced the race would be decided in a special election.

Roscoe complemented Stough, calling him a “fantastic opponent and a gentleman throughout” the race. He said he is excited to go to work in Cheyenne beginning in January. 

“[I will be] taking what I learned going door to door and trying to get a few things done for people in this corner of Wyoming,” Roscoe said.

Stough could not be reached for comment at press time.

With Roscoe’s win, Democrats picked up two seats in the state Legislature, Luckett said, something that has never happened before in a presidential election year. When the Legislature convenes, Republicans will have a 41-19 seat advantage over Democrats in the House.

“It just shows what we can do when get a really good candidate who worked really hard to get his message out to the voters,” Luckett said. “It’s not rocket science, but it’s not easy when you start out with a D next to your name.”

Even though Lincoln County election officials certified Roscoe the winner after the general election, they said they found 11 ballots cast in the Alpine precinct by voters who did not live in House District 22.

Lincoln County officials determined that the 11 votes were not an issue to them because Roscoe won by more than that margin in that county. He won the Alpine precinct 368 to 323, a difference of 45.

In a split vote, the State Canvassing Board ordered the special election. Secretary of State Max Maxfield was the lone member who voted for a new election across the entire district. Gov. Dave Freudenthal, Auditor Rita Meyer and Treasurer Joseph Meyer voted for an election in Lincoln County only.

According to Wyoming statute, the special election is to be conducted by the county clerk in the same manner as a general election, or as close as possible, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

House District 22 includes most of Sublette County, Wilson and Hoback Junction in Teton County and Alpine in Lincoln County.

Rep. Monte Olsen, R-Daniel, represented the district for the last six years but announced this spring he would not seek re-election because of health complications stemming from a car accident. State House members serve two-year terms.