PORT TOWNSEND — Doug Ross is currently leading the election for the Port Townsend School Board District 3 position by over 600 votes.
As of Wednesday, the vote count stands with Ross, 58, having 2,108 votes or 58.83 percent, and Jim Sherwood receiving 1,475 votes, or 41.17 percent.
A total of 9,553 ballots have been counted so far in this year’s general election, of the total 25,851 registered voters in Jefferson County, for a voter turnout of 36.93 percent.
Approximately 4,000 votes countywide are left to be counted and the results are expected to be announced after 4 p.m. Friday, according to Quinn Grewell, Jefferson County election coordinator.
Ross, vice president of North American Sales for HFI International Outdoor/Performance Textiles, was in Salt Lake City, Utah on business when he learned the results of the election.
“I’m just very excited to be able to serve,” Ross said. “[I have] huge gratitude to the community.
“Super excited to get started. We have a really solid board. There will be two new members but the current core of the board is fabulous and they have been doing some good stuff. I hope to add to their good work.”
Harold Sherwood
Sherwood, a veterinarian, wished Ross the best of luck if the vote is certified in Ross’s favor.
“I wish Doug all the best on his school board position. It’s a thankless position,” Sherwood said. “The first six months is a steep learning curve,. Everything you think you know about school boards, I think about half of it is right.
“I encourage him to attend the Washington State School Board Association meeting in Bellevue on November 21st to 24th, where he will get a lot of education on how to be an excellent board member.”
The final winner of the election will be sworn in at a board meeting following the elections certification on Nov. 26.
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5, or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.