PORT ANGELES — Mike Doherty took a commanding lead Monday in his bid for another four-year term as one of three Clallam County commissioners.
The Democratic incumbent from Port Angeles led challenger Robin Poole of Beaver, a Republican, by 1,066 votes after the Clallam County Auditor’s Office tallied 3,980 more ballots.
Doherty’s 15,334-to-14,268-vote lead gives him a 3.6 percent cushion, at 51.8 percent to 48.2 percent, heading into the final count.
Poole extended his congratulations to Doherty on Monday, conceding to his opponent.
None of the other county races changed significantly. County Auditor Patty Rosand said 2,406 ballots will be counted today.
Doherty, 67, seemed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in his run for a fourth term.
Poole, a UPS driver who has never run for public office, led by 176 votes on election night last Tuesday.
Doherty’s lead widened to 36 votes after Wednesday’s count of outstanding ballots, and to 451 votes after Friday’s count.
Full time job cited
“My key regret in this race is that I was not able to spend the time necessary to personally meet more people in the county and convey my message more effectively due to my full time employment status in the West End,” Poole wrote in a statement.
“I firmly believe that we could have won this race had this condition not been the case.”
Poole said he campaigned for a comprehensive employment plan to preserve and create jobs in the county. He said that and other issues he raised have not gone away because he lost.
Citing election wins by incumbents U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Bothell, U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Belfair, as well as Clallam County Commissioner Steve Tharinger’s election to the state Legislature, Poole said it is “just not correct” to assume that voters almost elected him because of an anti-incumbent mood in the country.
“This was an issues-based campaign, and I really hope that all the current commissioners get the voters’ message and do not return to their job with a ‘business as usual’ attitude,” Poole said.
“If they do, they will be misreading a very significant part of the electorate.
“So, with this in mind, I extend my congratulations to Mr. Doherty — I sincerely hope he represents the entire county — especially and including the people who supported me and the issues noted above.”
Treasurer race close
In another close race at the county level, Selinda Barkhuis of Port Angeles was leading incumbent Treasurer Judy Scott of Port Angeles 13,307 votes to 12,909, or 50.76 percent to 49.24 percent.
Scott narrowed what had been a 51.1 percent lead for Barkhuis on Friday.
Barkhuis could not immediately be reached for comment.
In other county races:
• Incumbent Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Deb Kelly, a Port Angeles Republican, was ahead of Democratic challenger Larry Freedman, a Sequim attorney, 15,467 votes to 14,234, or 52.08 percent to 47.92 percent.
• Sheila Roark Miller of Carlsborg led incumbent Clallam County Department of Community Development Director John Miller of Port Angeles 14,130 votes to 12,425, or 53.21 percent to 46.79 percent.
Legislative seats
At the state level, Tharinger, a Sequim Democrat, leads Port of Port Angeles Commissioner Jim McEntire, a Port Angeles Republican, 29,606 votes to 26,895 — or 52.40 percent to 47.60 percent — in the race for 24th Legislative District Position 2.
McEntire, who conceded Saturday, garnered 51.84 percent of his support from Clallam County voters. Tharinger had 61.23 percent of the Jefferson County vote.
The Position 2 seat is being vacated by retiring House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam.
The 24th Legislative District includes Clallam and Jefferson counties and the northern half of Grays Harbor County, not including Aberdeen.
Tharinger said McEntire conceded in an e-mail he received over the weekend.
“I think both candidates ran a good campaign, and obviously we’re happy with the result,” Tharinger said.
“I am honored to be able to represent the citizens of the 24th Legislative District. It’s going to be a difficult session, there’s no question about it.”
Legislators will have to make tough decisions about where to cut the budget in the next session, Tharinger said.
He thanked his campaign manager, Sam Gibboney, and his wife, Yvonne, for their hard work on the campaign.
“I appreciate the support of Lynn Kessler,” Tharinger added.
“It was important to have her endorsement. Following in her footsteps is going to be challenge.
Meanwhile, incumbent state Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, led Port Angeles Republican Dan Gase 31,963 votes to 25,020 — or 56.09 percent to 43.91 percent — for Position 1 in the 24th District.
Gase conceded Thursday.
Van De Wege has 50.2 percent of the support in Clallam County and 66.06 percent in Jefferson County.
Only Clallam County tabulated ballots Monday. The next ballot count in Jefferson and Grays Harbor counties will be Wednesday.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
