Jefferson County voters are poised to elect Democrats Rachel Zenzinger and incumbent Andy Kerr to represent them on the board of county commissioners.

Up for grabs in Tuesday’s elections were seats in District 1 and District 2.

Home to nearly 600,000 residents, Jefferson County covers more than 773 square miles and is the fourth-largest county in Colorado.

Elected at large to four-year terms, members of the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners serve as the governing body for one of Colorado’s biggest counties. The board enacts policies, such as establishing property tax rates and adopting a budget.

District 1: Zenzinger 

Democratic state Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, who is termed limited, is poised to win the seat over Republican Charlie Johnson, Unity Party candidate Eric Bodenstab and Libertarian Orion Schalhamer in District 1.

The district includes the cities of Arvada, Coal Creek Canyon, and Westminster.

Zenzinger, who is running for her first term as county commissioner, was leading Johnson, a former correctional officer, 54.86% to 41.95%, according to  unofficial results posted early Wednesday morning. Bodenstab, an architect and engineer, and Schalhamer, a systems manager, trailed by 1.01% and 2.19%, respectively.

Zenzinger’s lead prompted her to issue an early statement.

“Thank you to everyone who supported me in this election, especially the volunteers and donors, plus my friends and family. I wouldn’t be here without their dedication and efforts,” Zenzinger said Wednesday. “I am pleased the voters appreciated my emphasis on collaboration and the experience that I bring to the position. I look forward to tackling the priorities that mean most to the people of Jefferson County, including responsibly balancing our county budget, improving our transportation infrastructure, and increasing our affordable housing options. I am excited by the prospect of developing an effective partnership with my fellow Commissioners and I am ready to get started serving the people of Jeffco.”

Earlier this year, Zenzinger told The Denver Gazette that, while the county faced several issues, her top three concerts were for wildfire, affordable housing, and transportation and infrastructure.

Zenzinger, who also served as chair of the Colorado state legislature’s Joint Budget Committee, added that balancing the county budget to live within the fiscal constraints of TABOR would also be at the top of her list.

Since moving to Arvada in 2002, Zenzinger has served the community in numerous roles, including two terms as an elected member of the Arvada City Council, where she also served as mayor pro tem, according to her campaign website. She later stepped down from City Council to accept an appointment to the State Senate, where she contributed during the 2014 session.

The Denver Gazette reached out by to Johnson, but did not receive a response by press time.

District 2: : Kerr

Democratic incumbent Andy Kerr is leading Republican challenger Natalie Menten in District 2.

The district includes Golden, Lakewood, and Edgewater

Kerr, a Lakewood resident, educator and former state legislator, was leading Menton, a Denver native and community activist, 56.26% to 43.74%, according to the early and unofficial results posted at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Kerr told The Denver Gazette earlier this year that the biggest issue facing the county is achieving a balanced budget that adequately funds county services, referring to Jeffco’s projected 2025 budget shortfall of $30 million.

Kerr said his priorities include working with constituents, municipalities, and non-profit partners while funding county critical services, such as public safety, transportation, sustainability, affordable housing, human services, and planning and zoning.

The Denver Gazette reached out to Kerr for comment regarding the race, but he was unable to take our call before press time.

Natalie Menten declined to comment until votes were final.