PORT TOWNSEND — High school teacher Mark Welch surged to an upset victory Tuesday night over incumbent Port Townsend City Council member Kees Kolff.
“Obviously, I’m disappointed, but I think Mark will do a great job on the council, and I’m personally grateful to have had the opportunity to serve on council,” said Kolff.
Said Welch: “I guess I am humbled and certainly gratified by the results.”
Welch said he wanted to get residents “re-energized” and involved more in city government.
In the two other City Council races:
* Port Townsend electrical contractor Scott Walker held a large lead over his opponent, retired engineer Sydney Lipton.
* Michelle Sandoval was holding on to her seat with a strong margin over challenger Patsy Caldwell.
Of the 21,298 ballots sent out to the county’s all-mail voters, 11,966 had been returned as of Tuesday, with 11,779 counted.
County Auditor Donna Eldridge estimated about 500 to 600 ballots were received Tuesday, but not counted, and another 1,200 were expected in the mail today.
