EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado — They may have been handed a flier, spotted a lawn sign, or even shook a candidate’s hand, but many residents say that local elections have yet to make a big impression on them.

It’s a bit early to be thinking about local elections like the county commissioner’s race, Edwards resident Chris Dudar said.

He always votes in local elections, but doesn’t really know much about the new candidates, Republicans Dick Gustafson and Debbie Buckley and Democrat John Stavney, who are running for two of the seats, he said.

“I know all the current commissioners and all their platforms, but not much about the new candidates,” he said.

Dudar, who has lived in the area almost 20 years, said he finds that long-time residents usually are caught up on local politics.

Not tuned in

Other residents admitted they do not keep up with local politics and probably won’t vote in local elections.

“I have definite opinions on things, but I don’t plan to vote,” said Edwards resident Lori Mapes. “Honestly I just don’t think my vote makes a heck of a lot of difference.”

Also, she doesn’t have time to get caught up on local issues, with two kids and a full-time job, she said.

Singletree residents Greg and Cynthia Nelson said they do know too much about local races either, although they tend to be more concerned about neighborhood problems, such as parking.

However, the couple, who moved to the area less than two years ago, said they may start getting more involved with local politics.

“It’s part of the small-town feel, and that’s the reason we moved out here,” Greg Nelson said.

However, most said they are aware of the important topics in the area.

Mapes, despite not voting, said she is concerned about schools and growth management, especially in Edwards.

“The way they’re building here, I’m wondering if there are limits to how much they can grow,” she said.

Dudar said he thinks the top issues locally are building more affordable housing and reigning in county spending.

Candidates get out there

Local candidates said they have spent most of their campaigning time so far listening to those concerns. All the county commissioner candidates said they have been going to public events such as Gypsum Days and Flight Days in Eagle, knocking on doors and asking voters what matters to them.

Stavney, a former Eagle mayor who is running against Buckley for term-limited Arn Menconi’s seat, said he has knocked on more than 1,000 doors and has a Web site, www.jonstavney.com, to get his name out and hear what people have to say.

Runyon, as an incumbent running against Gustafson, said it is time for him to get on the campaign trail, too.

“It’s time to get my name back out, and the process gets you closer to the people, anyway,” he said.

He gets a range of responses when talking to voters, he said — some have no idea about county politics, some people recognize his face, and others are quite literate on county issues.

“I think in general people in this county are working so hard that they don’t have time to get very politically involved,” he said.

Gustafson said he hasn’t started heavily campaigning, but the voters he has talked to seem pretty familiar with local issues.

“I think the tax increases were a wake up call. Most people are very savvy about what’s going on. They’re worried about airport issues, gas prices, taxes and government accountability, to name a few,” he said.

Buckley agreed that while many residents may not know who she is, they know what issues are important to them.

“I just have to say that I’m running for county commissioner and they start telling me stuff,” she said.

And while things are still only heating up on the local front, candidates said they thinks local voters will turn out for the election.

“I’ve never seen a more energized electorate. We’ve had record numbers at the caucuses and assembly,” Runyon said. “People are going to turn out because they know how we grow in the next 10 years will shape the direction of Eagle County forever.”

Eyes to the White House

But whether residents can name all the county candidates or not, they are definitely paying attention to the presidential race.

It has been fascinating to watch, said Mike Bradshaw.

“It’s so partisan now. The true believers want to have it their way or no way. People are acting like English soccer fans,” Bradshaw said.

Dudar said he has been paying more attention to national politics lately than local politics.

“The presidential race has more pressing issues for me, personally, such as the war and energy policy,” he said.

Cynthia Nelson said it is hard not to be caught up on the race when it is all over the news.

“It’s history in the making, even between Obama and Hillary,” she said.

Staff Writer Melanie Wong can be reached at 970-748-2928 or mwong@vaildaily.com.