No dramatic changes were expected in the Okanogan County Auditor’s Office’s final vote tally from the Nov. 6 general election, and none were forthcoming in results posted on Nov. 15. With nearly 17,000 ballots counted, here’s a final recap of results in countywide races and others of interest:
• Cari Hall won the race to fill the county auditor’s position being vacated by Laurie K. Thomas, beating Randy Gates with 65 percent of the votes to Gates’ 35 percent. Hall currently works in the auditor’s office; Gates is a former employee at the auditor’s office.
• Incumbent District 3 County Commissioner Jim DeTro won another term, drawing 55 percent of the vote. His opponent, Salley Bull, had about 45 percent.
• Arian Noma drew 60 percent of the vote for the county prosecuting attorney’s position, while Branden Platter – who is the current prosecuting attorney by appointment – had about 40 percent of the vote.
• Tony Hawley won the race to fill the Okanogan County sheriff’s position being vacated by Frank Rogers. Hawley drew about 56 percent of the returns compared to Steve Brown’s 44 percent. Both are currently employees of the sheriff’s office.
Unopposed local candidates in the election were:
• Larry Gilman, running to replace County Assessor Scott Furman, who retired.
• Incumbent County Clerk Charleen Groomes.
• Incumbent County Coroner David Rodriguez
• Incumbent County Treasurer Leah Mc Cormack.
• Incumbent Okanogan County District Court judges Robert Grim and Charles Short.
• William Coylar, seeking the Okanogan County Public Utility District position No. 2 seat.
In the Washington state 12th Legislative District, which includes Okanogan County, Republican Keith Goehner defeated Independent Ann Diamond, drawing 56 percent of the vote compared to Diamond’s 44 percent, for the Position 1 seat, according to the Secretary of State’s office. In Okanogan County, Diamond – a Methow Valley resident – outpolled Goehner, 56 percent to 44 percent. The winner will replace Cary Condotta, who is resigning from the Legislature.
In the 12th District race for Position 2, incumbent Republican Mike Steele outdistanced Democrat challenger Valerie Sarratt with 64 percent of the returns compared to Sarratt’s 36 percent, the Secretary of State’s office reported. Sarratt, a Democrat, lives in Twisp. In Okanogan County, it was a little closer, with Steele drawing 53 percent of the vote compared to Sarratt’s 47 percent.
Fourth Congressional District incumbent Republican Dan Newhouse was victorious over Democrat challenger Christine Brown district-wide, 63 percent to 37 percent, according to the Secretary of State’s office. In Okanogan County, Newhouse drew 61 percent of the votes against Brown’s 39 percent.
In the Fifth Congressional District, incumbent Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers was re-elected over Democrat challenger Lisa Brown with 55 percent of the district-wide votes compared to Brown’s 45 percent, according to the Secretary of State’s office.
Incumbent U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell won easy re-election with 58 percent of the vote compared to Republican challenger Susan Hutchison’s 42 percent. In Okanogan County, those figures were reversed, with Hutchison outpolling Cantwell 57 percent to 43 percent.
The results statewide and in Okanogan County for statewide ballot measures:
• I-1631, 43 percent yes, 57 percent no statewide; 30 percent yes, 70 percent no in Okanogan County.
• I-1634, 56 percent yes, 44 percent no statewide; 61 percent yes, 39 percent no in Okanogan County.
• I-1639, 59 percent yes, 41 percent no statewide; 36 percent yes, 64 percent no in Okanogan County.
• I-940, 60 percent yes, 40 percent no statewide; 48 percent yes, 52 percent no in Okanogan County.
Countywide voter turnout was 73 percent, according to the auditor’s office. The election must be certified by Nov. 27.
Democrats gained one seat in the state’s congressional delegation with Kim Schrier’s victory over Republican Dino Rossi in the closely watched race to represent the Eighth District. Republican Dave Reichert had represented the district but chose not to seek re-election.
For complete county results, visit http://results.vote.wa.gov/results/current/Okanogan. For statewide results, visit https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/current.
