Election tally nears conclusion

Several South Whidbey electoral races that were still close contests last week have firmed up over the past few days as election officials at the Island County Auditor’s Office have been counting out the last ballots.

Though the office still has about 2,000 Island County ballots to count, the 16,803 already tallied have given some candidates in Fire District 3, Holmes Harbor Sewer District and the Scatchet Head Water District some breathing room.

In the FD3 commissioner race, Dennis Webster’s lead of 1,708 to 1,068 over Dennis Benning seems to be enough to make him the man to replace outgoing fire commissioner Bill Benjamin. His lead now is about double the advantage he had last Friday.

A write-in candidacy in the Holmes Harbor Sewer District appears to be the first on its way toward success in Island County since South Whidbey’s Duke LeBaron won a commissioners seat on the Whidbey Island Conservation District board in 1998. Former district commissioner Bob Randolph picked up 52 votes to the 20 tallied by Don LaMontagne, a sitting commissioner who was appointed to the Position 5 district board seat in August.

Two races in the Scatchet Head Water District also seem to be nearly resolved. In the face-off between John Fremming and Ken McLaughlin for the Position 1 seat, Fremming is ahead by a 77-42 margin. In the Position 2 race, former commissioner Duffy Schoeler had an 82-33 edge over incumbent Dave Morphew by Friday.

All election results in Island County will be certified and final Wednesday.

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