WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: Republicans move ahead in 2 close races

Jessie Stensland reports:

Two Republican candidates have overcome their Election Day deficits to move past their rivals in races affecting Whidbey Island voters, though margins remain razor thin.

They Said It

[Greg] Gilday said he’s heard a lot of different reasons from his supporters on why they tend to complete their mail-in ballots at the last minute. Some people want to keep the tradition of voting on Election Day while others feel that there is less chance their ballots will be “messed with.”

Gilday, however, said he has always urged his supporters to vote right away.

“I tell them if for no other reason, do it for me. Don’t put me through this again,” he said.

Both Gilday and [Clyde] Shavers said they like their chances. Gilday said he’s been confident that he would ultimately prevail since the first count. He said he believes the trend in later votes favoring him will continue in subsequent counts.

Shavers isn’t so sure.

“From day one we knew this was going to be a very close race, so we’re not surprised by the current numbers,” Shavers said. “We’re very optimistic about the outcome given that most of the remaining ballots are from Island and Skagit counties.”

[Ed. Note: This is the first of two election recaps that appeared on the Whidbey News-Times and South Whidbey Record’s website on Tue., Nov. 15. The other is at this link. This article appeared in the print edition of the paper on Wed., Nov. 16.]