PORT ANGELES — Incumbents John Nutter and Dr. John Miles had big leads Tuesday night in their respective bids for Olympic Medical Center commissioner.
Nutter had a 21 percentage point lead over challenger Jeanne LaBrecque for District 2, Position 1 hospital commissioner.
Nutter, a Port Angeles police officer, had 7,691 votes compared with LaBrecque’s 5,017 — or 60.52 percent of 12,708 ballots cast — while LaBrecque had 39.48 percent.
Miles was leading challenger Jack Slowriver by 18.5 percentage points for District 3, Position 2.
Miles, a retired physician, had 7,536 votes compared with Slowriver’s 5,182 — or 59.25 percent of 12,718 ballots cast to Slowriver’s 40.75 percent.
Nutter, 40, and LaBrecque, 63, visited cordially for about 45 minutes as they waited for the election results to be released at the Clallam County Courthouse.
Clallam County election results were delayed, officials said, because of write-in votes for Bill Black, who is running for a seat on the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center against incumbent Melinda Griffith.
Nutter said he has “a lot of respect” for his opponent.
LaBrecque concedes
LaBrecque, a retired director of health care systems strategy at The Regence Group, conceded the race and shook Nutter’s hand.
“Congratulations,” LaBrecque told Nutter.
She added: “He had the passion.”
Nutter said he appreciates the support of voters within the public hospital district.
“I look forward to another six years of making OMC the best it can be,” Nutter said.
After hearing Tuesday’s results, Miles felt “wonderful,” he said.
“I think I’ve won. I’m very happy.
“I think I’ve been very valuable being on the board, and I think my fellow commissioners agree,” he said.
“I just want to be able to continue.”
Miles, 81, is a retired physician and health care administrator.
Slowriver: No conceding
Slowriver, 34, said she was not ready to concede.
“I want to see what the last few ballots have to say,” she said Tuesday night.
“Why concede now after doing all this work? It makes sense. I owe it to the people who supported me.
“Every vote counts.”
Slowriver is director of area services for Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest.
OMC Board Chairman Jim Cammack congratulated all four candidates on their campaigns.
He told LaBrecque she has “great qualifications” and hopes she stays involved with the hospital.
OMC commission seats are nonpartisan, six-year positions.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
