Ronan City Council candidate in tight race concedes

The Ronan City Council learned during its Nov. 22 meeting that a new member would be joining — nearly three weeks after Election Day.

Unofficial results released after the Nov. 2 election showed a dead heat in the Ward 1 race between incumbent Marilynn Tanner and challenger Ryan Corum. Election Administrator Toni Kramer said there was one undervote cast in Ward 1, meaning one elector voted for city judge and/or mayor but left the Ward 1 question blank.

An automatic recount showed the same results, so by Montana law it was up to the sitting members of the council to decide the outcome.

With Tanner abstaining from the vote and Ward 2’s Calvin Hardy absent from the meeting, four councilors cast their votes and ended up in a 2-2 tie.

“I was tired of ties,” Tanner said Tuesday.

Mayor Kim Aipperspach was poised to have final say in the matter, but Tanner took matters into her own hands and conceded to Corum.

“Ryan will do a good job,” Tanner said Tuesday. “He’s a sincere man. He’s lived here all his life. He knows Ronan, and he'll do just fine.”

Tanner is a retired educator with 20 years of experience in the classroom and 19-plus years as an administrator. She lived in Ronan for 20 years before moving to work at a middle school in Wyoming, and has lived here another 26 years since returning. She was appointed to a vacant seat on the council two years ago, so this was her first election.

Corum has lived in Ronan for a total of 30 years. He grew up there and graduated from Ronan High School. He returned home in 2019. While away, he earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies with an emphasis on history/political science from Idaho State University.

“It gives you a new perspective on the city and what all needs to be done and how little money we have to do it,” Tanner said of her time on the council. “The people on council are sincere, honest folks who want to do what's best. I’ll miss the meetings and the good folks of our town.”

Mayor Aipperspach, who has served 15 years in the post, lost his race against Ward 2 Councilman Chris Adler.

In Ronan’s only other contested race, Allysen Jones was elected as new city judge after defeating Zachariah Miller 192 votes to 134.

Those taking over new positions will be sworn in at the first of the year.