Incumbent Nancy Wright and challenger Jeff Bowman are leading the race for the two open seats on Mission Springs Water District’s board of directors.

Board president Wright was leading the race just after 8 p.m.

Challenger Jeff Bowman, owner of Living Waters Spa, had received 758 votes.

Incumbent Randy Duncan pulled in 699 votes, while challener Dick Cromwell followed closely behind with 658 votes.

The district serves approximately 30,000 residents in the Desert Hot Springs, West Palm Springs Village and Palm Springs Crest.

Issues at the forefront of the election were Desert Hot Springs’ sewer system, the Horton Wastewater Treatment Plant, protection of groundwater and rates.

Bowman and Cromwell both said change on the board was needed to adequately address these issues.

Bowman said during a September 29 meeting with The Desert Sun editorial board, residents in the Highlands area do not have a sewer system.

Wright said today that she will continue to “supply safe, reliable and cost efficient water” to customers in the district.