PORT ANGELES — Jim McEntire and Mark Ozias have turned their attention to the general election in their respective bids to represent the East End as a Clallam County commissioner.
McEntire, a first-term incumbent, and Ozias, the executive director of the Sequim Food Bank, posted strong showings in the District 1-only primary Tuesday night to advance to the countywide general election Nov. 3.
McEntire, R-Sequim, garnered 3,229 votes, or 49.35 percent of the 6,543 ballots returned in the district.
District 1 covers the eastern third of the county from McDonald Creek to the Jefferson County line.
“I am very gratified and humbled by the strong plurality the voters in Commissioner District 1 gave my candidacy in last night’s election returns,” McEntire said in a Wednesday email.
“I’m looking forward to conducting a strong campaign for the general election, based on my record of positive, effective leadership; a determined focus on people and the economy; and judicious tax cuts.”
Ozias, D-Sequim, had 2,472 votes, or 37.8 percent of the total.
“We were real pleased to see how we did,” Ozias said in a Tuesday telephone interview.
Third-place challenger Bryan Frazier, D-Sequim, had 842 votes, or 12.9 percent.
The county Auditor’s Office will count more ballots Friday, but the number of outstanding ballots is insufficient to change the outcome of the top-two primary, Auditor Shoona Riggs said.
Frazier to support
Frazier on Tuesday said he would support Ozias in the Nov. 3 general election.
To that end, Ozias said his main issues for the general election will be leadership and accountability.
Ozias, who will be 45 by Election Day, said he has a “slightly different” approach than McEntire on economic development.
“I believe we need to be working to elevate the many small-business leaders that are already here in Clallam County,” said Ozias, a former business owner and political newcomer.
Ozias added that is excited to talk about global climate change planning in the campaign.
McEntire, who will be 65 by Election Day, said he is committed to helping the local economy and creating family-wage jobs.
“I’m looking forward to a robust series of debates between me and my likely opponent in the general election,” said McEntire, a former Port of Port Angeles commissioner.
“It will be a good campaign. I fully expect it to be about ideas rather than personalities.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
