Johnson leads in South Whidbey School Board race

Published 1:30 am Friday, November 7, 2025

Winners in various candidate races on Whidbey Island appeared to have maintained their leads as the week has gone on.

As of Thursday night, the Island County Elections Office counted 24,132 ballots, with an estimated 1,600 ballots left to count. The next count occurred after press time.

In arguably the most hotly contested race on the island, the incumbent member of the South Whidbey School Board is well ahead of her challenger. Ann Johnson has 4,801 ballots cast in her favor, which is about 65% of the vote, while Gwendy Gabelein has 2,576 votes, or about 35%.

“The school community needs a healthy board that looks to education’s future and is uncompromising in its work to build for the good of all,” Johnson said. “I am deeply proud to maintain my place as an elected volunteer and offer my voice to progress.”

Andrea Downs, Johnson’s fellow school board member, ran uncontested for her seat. In Langley, Thomas Gill, Dominique Emerson and Savannah Erickson all ran unopposed for positions on the city council.

It appears that Linda Gipson’s late write-in candidacy for a seat on the WhidbeyHealth Hospital Board was not successful. Mark Borden received 9,150 votes, or 79%, while Juliann Althoff — who withdrew from the race — still managed to receive 2,364 votes, or nearly 21%.

The Elections Office reported that 3,640 unresolved write-in votes were counted in the race, but they won’t be assigned to a specific candidate unless there are enough to change the results of the race.

Borden, a former ER doctor, thanked the community for the support.

“I realize that there is work ahead and am prepared to do what it takes,” he said.

In another hospital board race, James Canby is leading with 10,742 votes, or about 76%, while Christina LeClaire has 3,340 votes, or nearly 24%.

The closest race is between Dennis Rochier and Kirk Gasper, two doctors who are running for a seat on the hospital board. Gasper has 8,185 votes, or about 53%, while Rochier has 7,127, or nearly 47%.

The South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District maintenance and operations levy received enough support, with more than 62% of ballots cast as “yes” votes.

“We are appreciative of the continued trust that South Whidbey puts in our parks district,” Executive Director Brian Tomisser said. “With the new Aquatic Recreation Center coming in 2027, this passed levy will allow us to turn our attention to programming and operations for the new center.”