Two deputies, Katrina “Kat” Clauson and Russell “Russ” Nelson, have advanced in the surprisingly competitive primary race for county coroner.
Clauson beat fellow deputy coroner Dave Hodges in the Democratic primary.
In the Republican primary, Nelson beat the county’s sole funeral home director, Krista Nethercott, who had argued the roles were complementary.
In forums leading up to the race, all four candidates pledged to advocate for morgue upgrades and take a more hands-on approach to the job than outgoing coroner Dr. Brent Blue. Blue has served in the role since 2014 and came in last in Tuesday’s six-way Democratic race for county commission. The coroner’s office investigates about 40 sudden or unattended deaths each year.
Clauson has argued that it’s time for Teton County to elect its first female coroner. She quickly became popular with younger, left-leaning voters.
“I cannot believe this,” she said at a Tuesday night watch party as the results came through. “I am so excited to represent the Democratic party for this race.”
Nelson likely has greater name recognition, with a family tracing back five generations in Jackson. From the GOP watch party Tuesday night, he referenced two recent high-profile car wrecks on Teton Pass that have killed two and sent 11 to the hospital in two months.
“We need to be prepared for anything,” he said. “And Teton County keeps dodging bullets.”
Many Democratic voters on Tuesday said they were keen to weigh in on the coroner’s race, either because they knew the candidates personally or worked with them as nurses or search and rescue volunteers.
As larger states move to the more professionalized medical examiner system for investigating sudden deaths, the position remains elected in Wyoming and a few other states.
