Marler defeats Hiebert in large turnout
In a contest that brought nearly 200 voters to the polls, challenger Shane Marler defeated incumbent Matt Hiebert for the ward two east seat of Hillsboro City Council,
Marler, 31, who won by a total of 110 to 83, will take the oath of office at the April 17 council meeting. Hiebert was running for his fourth consecutive term, but had been unchallenged in his previous bids for the council seat.
"A lot of people got out and voted, and that's a wonderful thing," Marler said. "Usually when there is no bond issue, they have about 40 or 50 voters. So that's a huge turnout for Hillsboro."
Marler ran a grassroots-style campaign, handing out 500 brochures door-to-door and listening to voters' concerns.
"I went out the night before the election and I made the rounds on election day to remind some of my friends and potential voters that today was the day, and to get out and make a difference in our community," Marler said. "I told them they didn't have to vote for me just get out and vote because a lot of people died for our right to do that."
The end results was a victory in his first political campaign.
"I've been utterly amazed at how supportive people have been of me, even people I don't know that well," Marler said. "My only concern now is to do a good job. I don't want people to be disappointed in me."
Incumbent mayor Delores Dalke ran unopposed and garnished 270 votes in the contest. Robert Watson ran unopposed for ward one west and received 113 votes.
