Election results: Dean, Thomas advance in county commissioner race

The latest results show Dean with 2,489 votes (62.49 percent), Thomas with 786 (19.73 percent), Democrat Cynthia Koan with 331 (8.31 percent) and Republican Jeff Gallant with 304 (7.63 percent). Holly Postmus, who stopped campaigning in mid-July, has 73 votes (1.83 percent).

Election results are not final until certified at 2 p.m., Aug. 16. Another 31 ballots remain to be counted, as of Aug. 5.

As of the latest count, voter turnout in District 1 stands at 49.28 percent, up from 37.23 percent on Tuesday night, Aug. 2.

Countywide turnout stands at 48 percent, up from 36 percent Aug. 2. Some 57 percent of county voters cast ballots in the August 2012 primary.

The general election is set for Nov. 8.

24TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT

In the three-way race for District 24 state representative, Position 1, Democrat Mike Chapman of Port Angeles has 14,974 votes (46 percent) – 5,074 from Jefferson County – while Republican George Vrable of Port Ludlow has 12,074 (37.09 percent) – 2,948 from Jefferson County. Democrat Tammy Ramsay has 5,505 votes (16.91 percent) – 2,099 from Jefferson County.

In the race for District 24 state representative, Position 2, incumbent Democrat Steve Tharinger has 19,839 votes (61.2 percent) – 7,435 from Jefferson County – while independent Republican John Alger has 12,578 votes (38.8 percent) – 2,898 from Jefferson County.

In the race for District 24 state senator, incumbent Democrat Kevin Van De Wege has 19,974 votes (61.13 percent) – 7,438 from Jefferson County – while independent Republican Danille Turissini of Port Ludlow has 12,699 votes (38.87 percent) – 3,100 from Jefferson County.

6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer is advancing to the general election to defend his District 6 congressional seat with 79,466 votes (58.5 percent) – 6,879 from Jefferson County.

Republican Todd A. Bloom has 33,102 votes (24.37) – 1,667 from Jefferson County.

Tyler Myles Vega of Port Townsend, a Green Party candidate, has 2,470 votes (1.82 percent) – 281 from Jefferson County.

REGISTER TO VOTE

Oct. 10 is the deadline to register in time to vote in the Nov. 8 general election. To register locally, visit the Auditor's Office in the Jefferson County Courthouse in Port Townsend or check out that office's Web page by visiting co.jefferson.wa.us and clicking on the “Departments” tab.

ORIGINAL STORY (Aug. 2)

Election-night results show Democrats Kate Dean and Tim Thomas moving on to the general election in the five-way primary race for Jefferson County's District 1 commissioner seat.

Dean leads with 1,777 votes (62 percent) while Thomas has 581 votes (20 percent). Following are Democrat Cynthia Koan at 235 votes (8 percent), Republican Jeff Gallant at 239 votes (8 percent), and Holly Postmus, who stopped campaigning in mid-July, at 54 votes (2 percent).

“I’m surprised, humbled, pleased and a little daunted by the work that lies ahead of me, but I’m also eager to take this race to districts 2 and 3," Dean said. "My work is cut out for me. I’m not a shoo-in. The issues are very different in the rest of the county.”

Thomas was not at the county courthouse or available by phone Tuesday evening by Leader presstime. Thomas and Dean go to the countywide ballot Nov. 8.

For now, Dean said she would be taking a few days off.

“My hope is this is just the beginning,” Dean said to Koan as the two embraced in the courthouse hallway. Dean said if elected in November, she expects to work closely with Koan, who is currently chair of the planning commission.

“We have so many shared values,” she said of Koan. “It’s been a joy to get to know all the other candidates.”

She said her experience and track record have set her apart in this primary race. “I have been able to work with governments to move the needle on issues and I think the voters see that."