PORT ANGELES — Incumbent Mike Chapman and Republican challenger Maggie Roth took commanding leads tonight in the first count of ballots in the top-two primary for Clallam County commissioner in District No. 2.
Chapman, a political independent who is seeking a fourth term on the three-member Board of County Commissioners, garnered 1,436 votes, or 38.2 percent, of the 3,756 ballots counted in the five-person primary.
Roth received 961 votes, or 25.6 percent, of the support within the district.
Only voters within District No. 2 were eligible to cast a primary ballot in the commissioners’ race.
Voters throughout the county will cast a ballot for either Chapman or Roth in the Nov. 6 general election.
County Auditor Patty Rosand said 15,026 voters in District No. 2 received a primary ballot.
The next closest candidate in the primary was Democrat Dale Holiday (629 votes, 16.8 percent), followed by Patti Morris (458 votes, 12.2 percent) and Sandy Long (272 votes, 7.2 percent).
“I was more than pleasantly surprised, when voters continue to trust the job that you’re doing,” said Chapman, 48, after being congratulated by supporters at the Clallam County Courthouse.
Chapman said he was “humbled” by the support. He congratulated Morris, Long, Holiday and Roth for running a positive campaign in the primary.
“I appreciate that,” Chapman said.
“There was no mudslinging. Everybody talked about their qualifications and stayed above the fray,” he said.
“I think in a crowded primary like that we set a pretty high bar. So I’m really pleased and I congratulate them for running,” Chapman added.
Roth, 58, attended a public forum on the Carlsborg sewer system tonight.
“She felt that that meeting in Carlsborg was too important to miss,” said Terry Roth, who relayed the results to his wife in a text message.
Clallam County Republican Party Chairman Dick Pilling said he was “delighted” with the early returns.
After the meeting in Carlsborg, Maggie Roth said she was “very pleased” with the results.
“People have been very supportive,” she added.
“I think the race has been very respectful, and we kept on the issues.”
Roth said she has “enjoyed every minute of this race” and thanked her opponents for staying on task.
“There was no mudslinging,” she said.
Chapman said of Roth: “I look forward to continuing the debate with Maggie.”
“She’ll be a formidable opponent,” he added.
“I don’t take anything for granted by any stretch.”
District No. 2 covers the central third of the county’ demographic area from Valley Creek in west-central Port Angeles to Boyce Road in Carlsborg.
The commissioner’s position pays $63,348 per year.
Last year, a redistricting commission adjusted boundary lines for the districts based on 2010 Census data.
The two boundaries between the three districts shifted slightly to the west to account for growth in the Sequim area.
“I appreciate the trust of the voters,” Chapman said.
“We’re working hard to find solutions for the community, and I think the voters appreciate that.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345 ext. 5072 or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
