State Rep. Jim Buck has increased his lead over Democratic challenger Kevin Van De Wege and appears headed toward victory after thousands of ballots were counted Friday.
But Van De Wege, a Sequim firefighter/paramedic, was refusing to concede the race Saturday, vowing to wait until the vote count ends this week.
“We’re still hopefully optimistic,” Van De Wege said, “and we will wait until the counts are finished on Tuesday.”
Buck’s post-Election Day lead of 1.9 percent over Van De Wege increased Friday to 2.7 percent.
“So I think I’m going to declare a victory,” Buck told Peninsula Daily News.
“I’m pleased the voters chose to give me a chance to continue representing them.”
At stake is the 24th Legislative District House seat held by Buck, R-Joyce, since 1994.
