The General Election brought some predictable, some historical and even a few surprising results on Tuesday night, including the election of the first female legislator in District 31, and the passage of Pocatello’s bond request to build an animal shelter.

Here’s a closer look at some of the highlights:

Bingham County

Republican Julie Van Orden became the first female legislator to be elected in District 31 on Tuesday. She defeated Democratic challenger Jeannie M. James by garnering more than 75 percent of the votes for the State Representative, Position B seat.

“I think that’s a pretty good accomplishment. The county has come a long ways from just electing male candidates,” Van Orden said, adding that she’s excited to take part in the legislative process. “Being a woman legislator from Bingham County will (allow me to) bring a different perspective there.”

Two Republicans — both males — claimed the other District 31 posts. Incumbent R. Steven Bair maintained the state senate seat with 64 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat Cherie Harding Clawson. And Neil Anderson won the State Representative, Position A seat with 72 percent of the vote, surpassing Democrat Barbara Ann Clark.

Republican Mark R. Bair — Sen. Bair’s brother — won the Bingham County Commissioner District 1 seat with 93 percent of the votes. Matthew Thompson ran as a write-in candidate, but was defeated.

On Tuesday, Bingham County voters also weighed-in on two bond requests. They approved the Shelley-Firth Rural Fire District’s $1.7 million bond to build a new fire station in Shelley and upgrade the one in Firth, said Bingham County Clerk Sara Staub. But they turned down the North Bingham County District Library’s request for a $2.5 million for a new facility.

Bannock County

Voters approved Pocatello’s request for up to $2.8 million in general obligation bonds for a new animal shelter; they also passed Inkom’s $2.5 million bond for an upgraded wastewater system.

The second Pocatello area district has typically had some Democratic legislators in the past, but voters elected three Republicans to District 28 on Tuesday. Jim Guthrie earned the state senate seat with 66 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat Dave Finkelnburg. Ken Andrus took the State Representative, Position A seat with 62 percent of the vote, surpassing Sam McKee. And Kelley Packer won the State Representative, Position B seat with 63 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat Kamren Koompin.

Guthrie said the new district lines may have played a role in the Republican win, although the party is typically favored across the state.

Democrat Roy Lacey, who was elected state senator in District 29, which was won entirely by Democrats, said his party lost one position here, but picked up another seat in the Boise area.

“There are still seven Democrats in the senate,” he said, adding that it would be nice to have stronger representation. Still, he doesn’t have any qualms about working with Guthrie.

“Jim and I have known each other for a long time and we’ll work together for the benefit of Bannock County,” he said.

Democratic candidate Stephen F. Herzog was elected to the prosecutor post, earning 53 percent of the vote to defeat Republican challenger Kent Reynolds. Yet incumbent Republicans Karl E. Anderson and Howard Manwaring were both able to maintain their county commissioner seats. Anderson surpassed Democrat Elmer T. Martinez by earning 54 percent of the votes; Manwaring defeated Democrat Marla Vik and Libertarian John Bischoff by garnering 50 percent of the vote.

Power County

Democratic incumbent F. Randall Kline lost the prosecutor seat to Republican challenger Ryan Petersen by 746 votes. Kline has served in the position for four years.

Bear Lake County

Steven Wuthrich won the prosecutor seat as a write-in candidate with 1,500 votes — surpassing incumbent prosecutor Roger Jones, who actually defeated Wuthrich in the Primary Election in May. Jones earned only 1,194 votes this time around.

In Legislative District 32, which falls in Bonneville, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida and Teton counties, Republican Marc Gibbs won the State Representative, Position A seat with 79 percent of the vote. He defeated Democrat Bob Fitzgerald. Republican Tom Loertscher took the State Representative, Position B seat with 73 percent of the vote, surpassing Democrat Ralph Mossman.