PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners likely will stay constant according to initial Tuesday returns that show both incumbents with healthy leads.
District 1 Commissioner Phil Johnson and his District 2 colleague, David Sullivan, both Democrats, celebrated their apparent victories as vote totals were announced at the Jefferson County Courthouse on Tuesday night.
Johnson, 66, of Port Townsend has 8,705 votes, or 60.05 percent, to the 5,765 votes or 39.77 percent received by former Port Townsend City Councilman Geoff Masci, 64, a Republican.
Sullivan, 60, of Cape George won 8,423 votes, or 58.48 percent, compared with the 5,956 votes, 41.36 percent, taken by Republican Tim N. Thomas, 42, of Irondale.
“I want to thank the citizens of Jefferson County for giving me, for giving us, the to continue to work with them,” Johnson said alongside Sullivan.
“I didn’t know what to expect; you’re always surprised when you win — and it feels good.”
“I think we’ve done a good job preparing for economic recovery,” Sullivan said.
“We have a strong environmental record and never forget the most vulnerable citizens.
“I think people recognize that and appreciate the jobs we are doing.”
In an emailed statement sent to the Peninsula Daily News prior to the announcement of vote totals, Masci said the people elect who they deserve.
“”Our campaign committee was comprised of Dems, GOP and independents. This election is historic in that it has shaken the ideology tree, and resulted in support from different sides of the aisle, for individual candidates who are not necessarily of the voters’ chosen party.
“It remains to be seen whether the independent thinkers will carry the day.”
The Jefferson County Auditor’s Office counted 15,382 ballots out of 22,756 issued, for a voter turnout of 67.59 percent.
The office has 2,560 more ballots on hand to count, and Auditor Donna Eldridge expects an additional 2,500 ballots to come in before the next count at about noon Friday.
That would make for a final voter turnout of more than 89 percent.
The Board of Commissioners has been all Democratic since 2007. Both Johnson and Sullivan were first elected in 2004 and were seeking third terms.
Johnson, who had worked as a contractor prior to his election, has in the past year made the opposition of finfish aquaculture his main issue.
The state Department of Ecology has said the county cannot place an outright ban on the practice in its shoreline management program update, and both commissioners and staff have been researching options.
Masci — who served on the Port Townsend City Council from 2000 to 2008 and was mayor from 2000 to 2002 — said he ran to provide “an alternative voice” on the all-Democratic board.
Sullivan, who was previously a Jefferson County Public Utility District commissioner, has worked as a nurse,
Sullivan has concerned himself with transportation infrastructure issues, and has worked to secure related grants from federal sources.
Thomas — a general contractor who owns Bernt Ericsen Excavating Inc. of Port Townsend — said he entered the race partially to streamline the permit process that he had dealt with firsthand.
“I made him earn it,” Thomas said of the race against Sullivan.
“I don’t like to see anyone get elected to an office without a challenge.
“It was a good run.”
Thomas said he will “probably” make another run for elected office in the future.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
