Mark Brown is poised to become the next sheriff of Island County.

In early primary vote returns, Brown is leading his Republican opponents William “De” Dennis and L.C. “Lenny” Marlborough.

With 1,241 votes in hand, Brown had nearly double the amount of votes earned by Dennis (694 votes) or Marlborough (684).

Democrat candidate for sheriff Jay Wallace had gathered 1,328 votes in early returns. Wallace, a former deputy who was fired by Sheriff Mike Hawley after Wallace allegedly lied about not responding to a 911 call where a woman was being held hostage in Freeland, switched parties in June from Republican to Democrat when his fellow Republicans refused to endorse him. Island County Democrats have also rejected him as a candidate.

Whidbey General Hospital’s property tax levy increase was gaining strong approval from voters.

The measure, which would increase the property tax levy to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value to pay for improved ambulance service and other emergency medical services, has won almost 73 percent of the vote.

A 60 percent “yes” vote is needed for passage.

In early returns, 3,152 voters had approved the hospital levy increase, while 1,172 had voted against it.

In the race for county assessor, Don Mason had a huge lead over fellow Republican Daniel Jones, with Mason picking up 1,626 votes to Jones’ 742. The winner will face Democrat Dave Mattens during the general election in November. Mattens has picked up 2,075 votes so far, according to the county’s most recent vote tally.

For candidates not facing an in-party opponent, Tuesday’s primary represents a “beauty contest” of sorts and an early indication of how they may fare in November.

For Island County Commissioner, District 3, Democrat John Dean and Republican William Byrd were nearly even in early returns. Byrd, the incumbent, had 738 votes, while Dean had 703.

The race for prosecuting attorney is even closer, according to the county’s early tally. Democrat Greg Banks, the incumbent, had 2,128 votes, while Republican Steve Selby had 2,134 votes — a six-vote difference in Selby’s favor.

In the race for county treasurer, Democrat incumbent Linda Riffe was leading Republican challenger John Morrow, 2,119 votes to 2,000.

In the race for the state House of Representatives, District 10, Position 2, incumbent Republican Barbara Bailey was facing a strong challenge from Democrat challenger Tim Knue. Bailey had received 4,635 votes in early returns from Island, Skagit and Snohomish counties, while Knue had picked up 4,379 votes.

The Bailey-Knue race was closer in the preliminary count in Island County; Bailey had received 2,294 votes to Knue’s 2,062.

In the race for the U.S. Representative District 2 position, Republican Doug Roulstone is winning over fellow Republican Teri Moats. Roulstone had locked up 76 percent of the vote and will face incumbent Congressman Rick Larsen in the general election.

Larsen, a Democrat, had received 39,661 votes in Island, King, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties, according to early returns, while Roulstone had 18,869.

Larsen was also leading in the Island County count, gathering 2,394 votes to Roulstone’s 1,788.

The election results will be certified and become official on Sept. 29.

For more election results, check out www.islandcounty.net/auditor/.