PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County District Court Judge incumbent Jill Landes retained her seat over challenger Cheryl Potebnya in the first count of general election ballots Tuesday night.
Landes, who is seeking her third four-year term, garnered 6,149 votes, or 54.66 percent.
Potebnya, a 62-year-old attorney who lives in Port Ludlow, had 5,100 votes, or 45.34 percent.
“I’m pleased that I was retained to do a job I love,” Landes said.
“I think the community saw that.”
Landes, 64, added that she wasn’t surprised by her victory.
“I was fairly confident, but you never know,” she said.
Potebnya, who had already phoned Landes to congratulate her by 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, offered thanks to those who voted for and encouraged her.
“I am humbled by the amount of support I received,” she said.
Potebnya said she doesn’t know if she will run again.
Jefferson County’s nonpartisan District Court judge post pays an annual salary of $148,881 through September 2015.
The Jefferson County Auditor’s Office counted 13,402 ballots Tuesday out of 22,207 issued for a voter turnout of 58.64 percent.
Auditor Donna Eldridge expects about 2,000 more ballots to come in later this week.
The next count has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, but if staff can process ballots that come in the mail Wednesday, the count will be that day, Eldridge said.
________
Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
