PORT TOWNSEND — The latest ballot count from the Jefferson County Auditor’s office shows Daniel Toepper of Port Ludlow the winner general election race for the Public Utility District Commission District 3 seat.
Toepper extended his lead over Tom Brotherton of Quilcene during the latest vote count released Friday afternoon.
On election night, Toepper, 58, led Brotherton, 73, by only five votes. After a Wednesday count, Toepper was ahead by 236 votes. After Friday’s count, he was ahead by 302 votes.
As of Friday’s report, Toepper received 8,896 votes, or 50.67 percent, to Brotherton’s 8,594 votes, or 48.95 percent.
According to the Secretary of State’s office, Jefferson County voters cast 20,887 ballots in Tuesday’s election, an 82.20 percent voter turnout, the second-highest turnout in the state. Only seven ballots were left to be processed Friday afternoon.
Garfield County had the highest turnout percentage in Washington. The total number of votes cast was 1,369 or 82.62 percent. Garfield is the least populated county, located in the southeastern part of the state.
In Clallam County, voter turnout as of Friday was 67.55 percent. The Auditor’s Office had counted 35,581 of the 52,674 ballots mailed to registered voters countywide.
It will count an estimated 3,900 additional ballots in a third count by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
According to Jeffeson County Election Coordinator Betty Johnson, there are 222 challenge ballots remaining to review, fewer than total difference between the two candidates.
Johnson said the final ballot count will take place when the election is certified on Nov. 27.
All of the other contests were decided Tuesday night.
Two one-term incumbents lost their bids for re-election.
Incumbent Prosecuting Attorney Michael Haas, 57, a Port Townsend Democrat was defeated by James M. Kennedy, 37, a Port Ludlow Democrat who works as a Clallam County deputy prosecuting attorney. Kennedy received 10,127 votes, or 59.15 percent, to Haas’ 6,840 votes, or 39.96 percent.
Incumbent Sheriff David Stanko, 70, of Port Townsend, lost his contest to his employee and challenger, Detective Joe Nole, 62, of Chimacum. Nole received 12,313 votes, or 60.88 percent, to Stanko’s 7,529 votes, or 37.84 percent.
County Commissioner candidate Greg Brotherton, 46, a Quilcene Democrat, extended his lead over his opponent Jon Cooke, 60, a Quilcene Republican in the race for the District 3 seat. Brotherton received 13,581, or 67.88 percent, to Cooke’s 6,371 or 31.84 percent.
Mindy Walker, 42, a Port Ludlow attorney defeated Noah Harrison, 44, an attorney from Port Townsend, to become District Court Judge. Walker received 10,395 votes, or 57.11 percent, to Harrison’s 7,685 votes, or 42.37 percent.
The Port Townsend School Board Proposition 1 was approved by a wide margin. Voters were asked to reapportion its five districts to three, and add two at-large seats. The measure received 7,705 yes votes, or 83.92 percent, and 1,476 no votes, or 16.08 percent.
State, Congress
Outcomes did not change with more counts in the Legislative District 24 races for position 1 and 2, where incumbents held their seats.
In the Position 1 race, incumbent Mike Chapman, 55, a Port Angeles Democrat bested challenger Jodi Wilke, a Port Townsend Republican.
In Legislative District 24 Position 2 incumbent Democrat Steve Tharinger, 69 of Port Townsend defeated his opponent Republican Jim McEntire, 68, of Sequim.
In the race for Congressional District 6 seat, incumbent Democrat Derek Kilmer, 44, from Gig Harbor, won a fourth term in the race against Douglas Dightman, 48, a Shelton Republican. District 6 includes the North Olympic Peninsula.
Incumbent Senator Maria Cantwell, 60, a Democrat from Edmonds, won a fourth term defeating Republican challenger Susan Hutchison, 64, from Seattle.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.