Former Avon Mayor Jennie Fancher Wins Top Council Spot

Aspen —Seventy-five votes. That is the margin separating the fourth-place finisher, Alan Sandberg, from the fifth-place candidate, Justin Chesney. In an election where seven candidates competed for four seats on the Avon Town Council, that gap is razor-thin. Yet, based on preliminary, unofficial results from the Eagle County Clerk and Recorder’s Office as of 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sandberg appears to have secured his spot.

The race was tight at the bottom, but the top of the ballot was clear. Former Avon Mayor Jennie Fancher led the pack with 705 votes, capturing 18.98% of the total. She was followed by incumbent council member Ruth Stanley, who tallied 651 votes, or 17.53%. Rounding out the top three was incumbent Mayor pro-tem and former Mayor Rich Carroll, with 610 votes, representing 16.42% of the electorate.

For context, this election marked the end of the tenure for two key figures: current Mayor Tamra Nottingham and council member Chico Thuon, both of whom were term-limited. Their departure opened the door for the four winners identified above. The field was described as deep and highly qualified, a sentiment echoed by Carroll himself.

In a text statement, Carroll expressed gratitude to all seven candidates, noting the difficulty of putting oneself out there for an elected position. He highlighted the talent within the slate and extended kudos to the voters for participating in what he called a "very crucial election." Carroll also paid tribute to the departing councilors, stating they deserved "huge thanks for their service." He emphasized the continuity of work, noting that among the four newly elected and the three remaining incumbents, the council would continue the excellent work performed by both the council and the staff of the Town of Avon.

"There are seven councilors for a reason, to provide seven different perspectives," Carroll wrote. "I am thrilled to be one of the seven people that will serve Avon and our larger community. This is a service I and all of us take seriously and humbly. Thank you, Avon."

Carroll’s political history in Avon is extensive. He first served on the council from 2006 to 2014. Currently, he is finishing another four-year term as mayor pro-tem. His re-election ensures a continued presence of experienced leadership on the council.

Fancher, who finished with the highest vote count, reflected on her victory in a phone interview conducted from a celebration at Bob’s Place. She described feeling "really, really honored and humbled" by the result. "I’m so grateful for the support," she said. "So, I’m excited, I’m honored, I’m humbled, and honestly, I love serving my community."

Fancher’s background includes a significant stint on the Avon Town Council from 2012 to 2020, during which she served two terms as mayor. Her return to the council adds a layer of historical knowledge to the group.

Stanley, who placed second, joined the phone call after Fancher. She shared similar sentiments of gratitude and dedication. "Avon is my heart and soul," Stanley said. She admitted to having some anxiety during the campaign, worrying that voters might be looking for "new blood." "I was thinking maybe people needed new blood," she explained. "Thank you (to the voters). I’m very dedicated. I love this town, and I want to see everything come to fruition."

The practical bottom line for neighbors in Avon is that the council composition is shifting but retaining stability. With Fancher, Stanley, Carroll, and Sandberg poised to win, the town retains three familiar faces while adding Sandberg. The narrow margin at the bottom of the ballot suggests a divided electorate, but the top of the list indicates a clear preference for experienced candidates. For locals, this means a council that balances new energy with established governance, tasked with continuing the work of the town’s staff and addressing the perspectives of a diverse community.