PORT ANGELES — Incumbent Hugh Haffner maintained a comfortable lead in the controversial Clallam County Public Utility District District 2 race after the first night of vote-counting in Tuesday’s general election.
Haffner, who has served on the commission for 14 years, was leading his challenger, Bob Jensen of Port Angeles, with 8,738 votes, or 54.49 percent.
Jensen, a partner in the telecommunications companies Capacity Provisioning Inc. and Angeles Communications Inc., received 7,299 votes, or 45.51 percent.
Jensen congratulated Haffner, but was critical of the “Save Our PUD” campaign run by Sequim contractor Jay Ketchum.
Through thousands of dollars of advertising in local media, signs and fliers, Ketchum alleged that Jensen, as a CPI partner, would have a conflict of interest as a member of the PUD commission — an allegation Jensen denied.
“There is still a lot of votes left to count,” Jensen said.
“It’s a far stretch to win it, and we will see what happens in the end.
“I don’t like the way he won, but I congratulate him for what he has done.
“I don’t mind losing to the truth, but I do mind losing when people put slanderous things out there that are not true.”
The next count in the race for the six-year seat will be Friday.
Ballots were sent to 45,766 registered voters across Clallam County, and Tuesday’s tally included all ballots received by 4:30 p.m. Friday, 24,249 ballots, or 76.13 percent.
County Auditor Patty Rosand said her office had about 5,515 ballots in hand but not counted, and she estimated another 6,000-7,000 ballots were cast by the cutoff time of 8 p.m. Tuesday.
“I have six more years to do the best I can for PUD customers,” Haffner said.
“I’ll keep doing the same I’ve done before.
“Which is what is best for our customers.”
Haffner defeated another CPI founder, Bill Roberds, in 2002 with 10,256 votes, or 63 percent.
Haffner, who is an attorney and a CPA, began his PUD career in 1994, when he was appointed to a two-year term. This is his third re-election.
Haffner commended Ketchum for his “Save the PUD” campaigning efforts.
“I think voters saw what I was up against,” Haffner said.
“I think [Ketchum] was invaluable in getting that message out.
“Voters owe him a thank you for bringing that issue out.”
Ketchum said he felt Jensen wouldn’t put PUD customers first because of his business interests in Port Angeles.
CPI provides high-speed fiber optic cable to businesses and public entities in the city.
Jensen has said that if elected, he would not participate in any business negotiations with CPI and the PUD.
Similar allegations were expressed against Roberds during his campaign in 2002.
Ketchum said he wasn’t sure if his campaign was effective in getting out the vote for Haffner.
“I could have been, but I really don’t know,” he said.
“I hope we did, but the race isn’t over yet.”
“Save Our PUD” is funded by Jay and Jane Ketchum, their daughter, Jennifer Ames, and her husband, Dennis Ames.
Jennifer and Dennis Ames live in Nine Mile Falls near Spokane.
“Save Our PUD,” with $16,417.63, outspent both Haffner and Jensen.
Jensen spent $11,833.14 and raised $16,514.61 in the campaign as of Tuesday, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.
Haffner had raised and spent $12,801.58.
He has said his campaign is separate from Save Our PUD.
Haffner said he reimbursed Ketchum $3,600 for the purchase and installation of 75 new signs for his campaign.
The three PUD commissioners receive $1,400 per month, plus $90 per diem for meetings up to $12,500, and travel expenses. They are elected for six-year terms.
Ted Simpson represents District 3, which covers Clallam County west of Port Angeles, and Will Purser represents District 1, which covers the Sequim area.
Simpson endorsed Jensen and spent $1,132.28 on newspaper advertising for the campaign, the PDC said.
Haffner said that Simpson’s endorsement of Jensen won’t be an issue among the commissioners.
Jensen, a six-year Marine veteran who had combat experience in the Gulf War, touted his experience in the communications industry during the campaign.
But he also acknowledged that a challenge for the PUD will be offsetting increasing rates caused by a mandate to use power generated by renewable resources.
He had advocated helping homeowners develop their own “green” energy sources such as windmills to supply their own power needs and even provide power to the PUD grid.
The PUD employs 130 people and serves 28,500 electricity customers in Sequim, Forks and unincorporated areas of Clallam County.
It also serves the Port Townsend Paper Corp. mill.
It operates nine water systems that serve about 4,200 customers through the county.
It built a 24-mile fiber optic loop between Port Angeles and Sequim and operates a small sewer department.
Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
