Garfield County voters are facing a pivotal race this election season. With two of three commissioner seats up for election, the election promises to determine the balance of the board, and with oil and gas issues heating up, voters face some stark choices between candidates.

Three-term incumbent John Martin, a Republican, is running for reelection
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EAGLE — The race for two Eagle County commissioner seats Nov. 4 pits a pair of tax-cutting Republicans against two Democrats who say unchecked growth has left the Vail Valley desperately short of affordable housing, accessible open space and enough money for roads, education and social services.

Incumbent Democrat Peter Runyon, owner of a souvenir and postcard company, wants four more years to pursue a progressive agenda that includes implementing aggressive housing regulations for new development and continuing to fund more public acquisition of open space.

Runyon is facing Republican Dick Gustafson in the upvalley District 1. Gustafson, a two-term former commissioner from 1985 to ’93 says the current all-Democrat three-commissioner board is “out of control,” spending foolishly on projects such as the new Stratton Flats affordable housing development in Gypsum.

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