The city of Moscow has elected a new mayor, with local resident Hailey Lewis defeating incumbent Alex Simon in the recent election. Lewis, who has lived in Moscow her entire life, will take office in January, succeeding Art Bettge, who is retiring after years of service.
Celebrating her victory on Tuesday night, Lewis expressed her gratitude for the support she received from the community. “I’m just so over the moon,” she remarked on Wednesday, emphasizing her appreciation for the opportunities Moscow has provided her throughout her life. Lewis articulated her desire to give back through public service, stating that Moscow “believed in me the same way that I believe in Moscow.”
Lewis’s strong ties to the community are evident. She attended local schools, including Lena Whitmore Elementary School and Moscow High School, where she served as Associated Student Body president. Currently, she is employed at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories and has been a member of the Moscow City Council since 2021.
New Councilors Join Lewis in Governance
In addition to Lewis, three new city councilors were elected: Evan Holmes, Sage McCetich, and Scott Sumner. These newcomers will join Lewis in steering the city’s future. Notably, incumbent Gina Taruscio finished fourth in the race. Reflecting on her experience on the city council, Lewis noted that the city has an effective onboarding process for new council members, which will benefit the incoming team.
Lewis aims to create a “cohesive team rowing in the same direction” to achieve the city’s objectives. She expressed her commitment to educating the public about the city’s processes and the various issues facing Moscow.
High Voter Turnout Marks Election Success
The election saw impressive participation, with 42% voter turnout, significantly higher than the 27% turnout recorded during the last off-year election in 2023. Latah County Auditor Julie Fry praised the community’s engagement, noting that early voting attracted 2,289 participants. Fry indicated that her team anticipated higher turnout based on early voting trends.
Fry also mentioned that she would contact the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office regarding two closely contested races that may necessitate a recount. One of these races involved candidates Richard Tackett and Amanda Fletcher, who were separated by just one vote, with Tackett receiving 76 votes to Fletcher’s 75. In another close contest for the Moscow Cemetery District, Cindy Tubb is leading with 2,394 votes, while Bethanne Broux follows closely with 2,355 votes.
The community’s enthusiasm and involvement in this election highlight a vibrant civic spirit in Moscow, setting a promising tone for Lewis as she prepares to take office and address the challenges and opportunities ahead.
