Local News

Primary Results Certified Tuesday

Aug 17, 2016

One of the most crowded Washington state primary elections in recent memory is now closed.

Results of the Aug. 2 primary were certified Tuesday. The elections at the local, state and federal levels cleared away dozens of candidates, setting up final two-way races for the Nov. 8 general election.

The 18-day voting period for the general election will begin Oct. 21 with ballots being mailed out that day.

Although the final tallies conducted Monday changed numbers, there were no seismic shifts in any races. Leaders established by early returns held their places in races for federal, state and local offices.

In terms of voter participation, Okanogan county reached 43.1 percent voter turnout, much higher than the statewide turnout of 34.8 percent.

In the very tight race for Okanogan County Commissioner District 1, incumbent Sheliah Kennedy held onto a razor thin lead receiving 615 votes to Chris Branch’s 614 votes. Coming in third was Larry Schreckengast with 607 votes and Ted Reinbold finished last with 438 votes.

In Commissioner District 2, the leaders from first count on Aug 2^nd, Andy Hover and Ashley Thrasher extended their lead even further in the final numbers, Hover had 1458 votes to Thrasher’s 1227. Incumbent Ray Campbell came in a distant third with 764 votes followed by Stan Kvistad with 192 votes.

In the race for PUD Commissioner for District 3, Jerry Asmussen maintained his commanding lead with 1603 votes or 56 percent. He will face Aaron Kester in November. Kester finished with 721 votes and John Graham came in last with 496 votes.

The top two vote getters in each race will move on to the general election.