PORT TOWNSEND — In a year widely predicted to be a bad one for incumbents at all levels, Jefferson County District 3 Commissioner John Austin, a Democrat, hung on to his seat by a 12-point margin with nearly 57 percent of the vote for a second four-year term.
And the shaky situation was still fresh in Austin’s mind as he reflected on his victory over his Republican challenger, Jim Boyer.
“I was concerned,” he acknowledged. “I was aware of the national mood and also aware that in this economic recession, people are concerned.”
Austin said his win was a reflection that the electorate shared his concern for the environment and its connection to Jefferson County’s economy.
“Over 14 percent of our income comes from tourism and $20 million from aquaculture,” he said, and a clean environment is an economic issue.
Boyer ran a vigorous campaign and pulled a little over 44 percent of the vote countywide, significantly more than the 37.5 percent received by Ian McFall, Austin’s opponent during his first run in 2006.
Boyer expressed his congratulations to Austin and his supporters.
“They had a hardworking team,” he said.
During the campaign, Boyer, a 64-year-old Port Ludlow home builder, emphasized his desire to re-structure the county Department of Community Development and streamline the permitting process, as well as champion property and water rights.
He also promoted his commitment to economic development issues, especially expanding the county’s economic base to create jobs and a sustainable economy.
Austin, 69, also of Port Ludlow and a retired psychologist, touted his record and experience, and his ability to achieve intergovernmental cooperation.
He took credit for helping keep open two state parks originally slated for closure and spoke of his desire to better inform the public of the importance of shorelines management issues.
Results are not final, with 13,716 ballots counted of the 21,743 issued, a 63.08 turnout so far.
There were another 981 ballots on hand, and another 2,500 are expected to be added for a final tally by about noon on Friday, said Jefferson County Auditor Donna Eldridge, who had predicted an 80 percent voter turnout.
Turnout in the last off-year election in 2006 was 77.5 percent. Turnout was slightly more than 91 percent in the 2008 presidential election year.
Austin faced a challenger from his own party in the primary and managed to poll only 28 percent of his district.
His Democratic opponent, Diane Johnson, received 24 percent and vowed to throw her support to Boyer in the general.
Boyer received 47 percent in the primary.
Austin said he was gratified to receive support from many Johnson supporters during the general.
In the general election, county commissioners run countywide.
District 3 covers south and west Jefferson County.
County commissioner salaries will be $63,926 a year beginning January.
They oversee a $52.8 million budget and 287 employees.
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Julie McCormick is a freelance writer and photographer living in Port Townsend. Contact her at juliemccormick10@gmail.com.
