Lower Valley Energy District 3 Director Nancy Winters eked out a 45-vote victory Thursday, fending off seven other candidates to retain her seat on the board.

Board members also voted to re-elect District 4 Director Ted Ladd and to opt out of natural gas and propane regulations under the Public Service Commission.

Winters said she was “delighted” by the results and looked forward to being more involved with energy issues being dealt with across the country.

“Everything is moving very fast right now,” she said. “It’s very dynamic and I’m excited to be part of that, especially with a board that is well-respected and well-established, like this one.”

Winters will now serve a three-year term representing District 3, which covers Hoback Junction north to Little Horsethief Canyon and the Bondurant and Green River Lakes areas.

The other candidates who ran for the District 3 position were Lance Bateman, Fred Bowditch, Jack Edwards, F. Michael Kibbie, Brett McPeak, Tom Newman and Teresa Roberts.

Winters, a Star Valley resident, was appointed in May to replace former district director Thelma Crook, who resigned from her position in March.

Ladd also managed to retain his seat for another three years, although his victory was a little less climactic.

Ladd, whose district covers the Wilson, Skyline Ranch and Indian Springs areas, ran unopposed.

In addition to voting on the board positions, Lower Valley members voted to opt out of rate regulation by the PSC for natural gas and propane. About 89 percent of members who voted approved the ballot initiative.

Effective immediately, the utility will no longer be required to submit proposed rate changes to the PSC, a statewide entity that oversees utility rates, safety and reliability of service.