After losing in this week’s Republican primary, Box Elder County Commissioner Lee Perry said it plainly: His vote clearing the way for a massive data center campus cost him his seat.
It apparently took the same toll on his fellow commissioner, Boyd Bingham.
“Do I think that the data center vote cost me the election? Yes I do,” Perry said Wednesday. “Would I do anything different? ... I wouldn’t vote differently, but I would push back against the state and make them come out publicly and tell everybody why they’re forcing it down our throat.”
Bingham and Perry conceded defeat Wednesday in their suddenly highly visible contests.
Perry fell to challenger Nathan Tueller, who, according to the latest unofficial returns, captured 54% of the vote to Perry’s 46%. Tueller is unopposed in November’s general election.
Vance Smith, meanwhile, outpaced Bingham, 52% to 48%. Smith will face unaffiliated candidate Alan Williams in the fall.
“I would like to congratulate the incoming leadership and wish them the best going forward,” Bingham wrote on social media. “My hope always is for the well-being of Box Elder County.”
Click here to read the rest of the Salt Lake Tribune article
