What Mesa County Told Us on Election Day

Audubon Trail, Grand Junction, CO

Dear Restore the Balance Community,

The votes are in, or close enough. On Friday, November 6, the Associated Press called Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District for incumbent Republican Jeff Hurd, several days after Election Night. With about 95 percent of ballots counted, Hurd led Democrat Dwayne Romero 49.3 percent to 47.4 percent. Romero said he spoke with Hurd and congratulated him. Results remain unofficial until counties certify them.

Mesa County has long leaned Republican, and it did again this year. Among votes cast for the two major-party candidates, Hurd received 59.3 percent and Romero 40.7 percent (unofficial). The chart below shows how that compares with Colorado and the country. 

2026 U.S. House Vote: Mesa County, Colorado & U.S. (preliminary, Nov. 6)

Registered Voters by Party, Mesa County vs. Colorado (Nov. 1) 

Registration tells a related story. Half of Mesa County’s active registered voters (50.0 percent) are unaffiliated, compared with 34.6 percent Republican and 12.7 percent Democratic. Registration is not the same as voting, and unaffiliated voters can choose either party’s candidates. Still, we read it as a reminder that the middle here is bigger than the national narrative gives it credit for.

You can follow the latest results here: NYT Interactive ResultsMesa County Official Results

Did You See Our Billboard?

Thank you to everyone who filled out our anonymous billboard feedback form. Fourteen of you responded. Nine had seen a billboard, and eight of those nine said the message was effective. The ninth said they were glad to see it and hope it worked. Five had not seen it, which tells us something too.

One respondent, who only saw the Patterson location, suggested Highways 6 and 50 for future placements. Another said it was “timely with the mid-term election and we need to constantly be reminding ourselves of the principles displayed by RTB.” A third wrote, “Great use of money, the location was great as well.”

This is a small sample and not a scientific poll, but we hear you, and we’ll keep your feedback in mind for future campaigns.

A Post-Election Conversation Worth Having

Our partner Braver Angels is passing along an invitation from AllSides for a series of National Roundtables the week of November 16. Whether you’re relieved, disappointed, or just exhausted by the results, AllSides is asking a different question: not who won or lost, but what Americans actually want from our political and economic systems going forward.

Each roundtable brings together four to six people you’ve never met for a structured, one-hour conversation across political differences. No policy expertise required, just your perspective and a willingness to listen. Afterward, AllSides shares an anonymized report of participants’ insights with national leaders.

Reserve your spot here.

Shared for informational purposes only; does not constitute an RTB endorsement of this organization or its positions.

Recommendations

Read: MAGA Finally Gets What It Deserves, David French, The New York Times (opinion). This is an opinion piece. Shared for informational purposes only; does not constitute an endorsement of any candidate or political party, or of the author’s views. 

Listen:

• Light of a Clear Blue Morning, Dolly Parton

• Bob Dylan - The Times They Are A-Changin'

Upcoming Events

November 9 (tonight) — RTB Overview: Mesa and Collbran Area

• 5:00-7:00 PM

• Mesa Community Center Historic Gym, 48973 KE Rd, Mesa, CO 81643.

• Join us for an on-site overview of Restore the Balance for voters in the Mesa and Collbran area. Learn about our mission, principles, and how to get involved.

• No registration required.

November 11 — RTB Social Hour

• 4:30-6:30 PM

• Cruise Control, 555 Colorado Ave, Grand Junction, CO.

• No registration required!

• However you’re feeling about the results, it’s a good time to get together with like-minded folks.

November 14 — Families and Politics

• 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

• Presented by Braver Angels.

• Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley, 536 Ouray Ave., Grand Junction.

• Good timing to help navigate political conversations before Thanksgiving.

• Register here.

On the Radar: Local Government Meetings

• Board of County Commissioners: Tuesdays @ 9 am

• Grand Junction City Council: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays @ 5:30 pm

• Town of Palisade Board of Trustees Meeting: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays @ 6 pm

• Fruita City Council: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 7pm

• D51 School Board: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 5pm (public comments accepted on 3rd Tuesdays only)

• Mesa County Library Board: Last Thursdays @ 5:30 pm

• Public Health Board: 2nd Tuesday of the month @ 3 pm

Thank you to all who have submitted photos, podcasts, and video recommendations. We will publish a recommendation in each category every week. Please keep them coming!

Want to Contribute to Our Weekly Newsletter?

Our best recommendations come from you! Have you read a thought-provoking book? Listened to an insightful podcast? Found an article worth sharing? Captured a beautiful photo of Western Colorado? We want to feature your discoveries and perspectives in our Monday Update.

You can share resources, suggest topics you'd like RTB to address, or submit photos from around our community. All submissions can be anonymous or attributed to you; it's your choice.

Submit your recommendations here

Let's learn from each other and build a more informed community together.

We'll say it one more time: vote early.