PORT ANGELES — Two City Council incumbents were in tight races with their challengers Tuesday night in initial returns from the general election.
A third incumbent, Karen Rogers, enjoyed a comfortable lead over challenger Jerry Morris.
With 3,852 ballots counted in the Port Angeles precincts — representing a 35.42 percent turnout — nurse Betsy Wharton, 45, was holding a slight lead over Richard Headrick, 68, a semi-retired judge who is seeking his second term on the City Council.
Wharton had 1,869 votes, or 52.37 percent, to Headrick’s 1,700 votes, or 47.6 percent, for council Position 4.
Headrick holds the title of mayor, which is appointed by fellow council members and not elected by the voters.
Real estate agent Larry Williams, 59, who is seeking a third four-year term on the council, held a slight margin over motivational speaker Cherie Kidd, 59, for council Position 2.
Williams received 1,829 votes, or 51.3 percent, so far, to Kidd’s 1,736 votes, or 48.7 percent.
Clallam County Auditor Cathleen McKeown said there are 10,117 ballots in hand that were not counted as of Tuesday night, and several thousand more are expected in the mail today.
Tuesday’s election results are based on Port Angeles ballots cast as of last Friday, she said.
Ballot counting resumes Thursday.
