ELECTIONS 2024: Senate, county commissioner race too close to call
Sam Fletcher reports on election results for the Whidbey News-Times.
Two key races affecting Whidbey Island residents are real nail-biters.
Republican state Sen. Ron Muzzall was behind Democratic rival Janet St. Clair in the first ballot tally Tuesday, but edged ahead in each subsequent count. As of the Thursday night count, he led by 0.9% of the votes cast.
The race for Island County commissioner in District 2 has also tightened. Christina Elliott, a Democrat, was ahead of incumbent Republican Commissioner Jill Johnson by 6% in the first count. As of Thursday, her lead narrowed to about 2%.
The Island County Auditor’s Office reports that an estimated 17,000 ballots were left to count after Thursday night.
They Said It
St. Clair is a county commissioner representing District 3, which encompasses much of North Whidbey and all of Camano Island. She said during the campaign that she would resign if elected in order to concentrate on working in Olympia.
“I’m proud of our campaign, the grassroots effort driven by many volunteers to share our message,” St. Clair said. “Despite disappointing national trends, voters here know the importance of reducing costs, supporting working families with fair wages, child care and housing, protecting reproductive freedoms and improving local health and safety. We’re confident that those issues are guiding voters and wait eagerly for updates.”
[Commissioner Melanie] Bacon [who got nearly 66% of the regular votes cast] said she was gratified and humbled by the results.
“I think the returns show that the citizens of Island County, regardless of political party, know that I listen to them and care deeply about them and these beautiful islands, and they trust me to continue making informed and thoughtful decisions based on my experience and vision for the county,” she said. “In my message I focused on issues not rhetoric, clearly telling people what I have done and what I intend to do in the future.”
Rep. Clyde Shavers [who is leading his Republican challenger, Carrie Kennedy,] attributes the success of his campaign to the focus on lowering costs during his first term. This will continue to be a priority going into the legislative session in January, he said.
“No matter who wins, as long as we come back together, that’s what democracy is all about,” he said. “I’m really hopeful and positive and looking forward to talking with everybody again, reaching out to folks and having them reach out to me as we continue to prepare really meaningful policies.”
Similarly, [Dave] Paul [who is ahead of Republican Gary Wray in the other State Representative race] said the focus of the legislative session paved the way to election success.
He said he’s built pathways for trades jobs, youth mental health and lower health care costs.
Looking to January, he’s working on legislation to further this work. In addition, he expects to return to the transportation committee.
“We’ve got to keep pressure on the legislature to fully fund the ferry system and get those boats on the water as soon as we can,” he said.
