PORT TOWNSEND — Incumbent Port of Port Townsend Commissioner Steve Tucker holds an almost 500-point lead in a race against challenger Diane Talley that could define the future of the port.
“I learned a lot in my first term,” Tucker said after the initial counts were announced Tuesday night.
“I have a better idea about what we can do and what’s possible. No one pops out of the womb knowing how to do this stuff.”
Tucker, 65, was not challenged in the 2011 election. This year Talley, 63, ran on her experience in working in the Boat Haven for more than 30 years.
“We really did change the conversation and a lot more people have taken an interest in the port,” Talley said of her campaign.
“The campaign has altered public perceptions about fiscal responsibility, transparency and environmental issues.”
Tucker is the former owner of Auto Works. Talley, who had never run for public office before, is the owner of Taku Marine.
The Jefferson County Auditor’s Office counted 10,148 ballots on Tuesday night for a voter turnout of 44.17 percent, said Betty Johnson, elections coordinator.
The next count will be at about noon Friday, she said.
Talley said that her experience made her a better choice to address port issues such as possibly paving the Boat Haven to decrease dust and to make the port more efficient.
Tucker spoke of economic development and said that if Talley were elected, she would align herself with Commissioner Brad Klinefelter for a disproportionate representation of port workers.
“It would have been different if the marine trades weren’t already represented on the board,” Tucker said.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
