Furlong beats Guimont in sheriff's race

State investigator Ken Furlong beat Deputy Bob Guimont in the race for Carson City sheriff on Tuesday.

Furlong, 47, received a total of 9,588 votes to 35-year-old Guimont's 7,227, a difference of 54 percent to 41 percent.

"I'm glad its over," Furlong said Tuesday night from the Station Grill and Rotisserie, where his supporters were gathered. "The first thing I want to do is draw the department back together and that supersedes (taking office in) January. Campaigns are rough on people."

Guimont was supported by the Carson City Sheriffs Protective Association, which is made up of 60 deputies.

"I want the deputies to know they don't need to feel threatened," Furlong said.

Furlong also said he has chosen Nevada Division of Investigations Lt. Steve Albertsen as his undersheriff.

Guimont, who was having a "thank-you" party at Empire Ranch Golf Course, said he was glad the election was over but disappointed by the results.

"The cool thing is it's over," he said. "The campaign has come to an end and we're not putting our lives on hold anymore. I've got everybody who is somebody in my life here with me tonight."

Guimont, a seven-year sheriff's deputy, said despite the election loss he plans to stay with the department.

"I'm not going anywhere," said the father of four. "How many people get to run for sheriff in Carson City and do what we've done?"

Furlong's family has a history of law enforcement in the community.

His father, Bill Furlong, was undersheriff with the department for about eight years in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

In 1994, the elder Furlong was elected as Carson City justice of the peace, but prior to taking office succumbed to non-Hodgkins lymphoma Dec. 21 of that year.

Since retiring from the Air Force in 1998 where he spent his entire career as an investigator, the newly elected sheriff has worked for the Division of Parole and Probation as a probation officer and a court services officer. He is employed by the Nevada Division of Investigations with the major crimes unit.

Furlong will be sworn into office New Year's Day.