Four-term Jefferson mayor loses primary

Republicans in Jefferson rejected Mayor Russell Felter’s bid for a fifth term, giving Eric Wilsusen a decisive 58% win the Republican primary on Tuesday.

Wilsusen, the former deputy police chief, beat Felter 1,445 to 1,048.

Melissa Senatore, who ran with Wilsusen, was the top vote-getter, but GOP primary voters backed  Councilwoman Debi Merz instead Senatore’s running mate, incumbent Ronald Smith.

In Chester, Mayor Janet Hoven defeated Councilman Timothy Iversen with 77% of the vote in the Republican primary for mayor.