11-8-2018
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Some are claiming victory, but our local legislative races will likely face recounts as the auditor’s office continues to count ballots.
The statewide measures solidified their positions with voters rejecting a carbon tax and voting in favor of prohibiting local governments from imposing grocery taxes.
I-1639 and 940 which regard gun control and prosecuting law enforcement are set to pass with about 60% of the vote.
Republican Dino Rossi conceded the race for the historically GOP-held 8th District Representative seat to Democrat Kim Schrier, marking the first time a Democrat will hold the seat.
The Democrat incumbents in congress — US Senator Maria Cantwell and 1st and 2nd District Representatives Suzan DelBene and Rick Larsen — will keep their seats.
In the legislature, our local races are all too close to call with a mere 122 votes separating Republican Senator Doug Ericksen from Democrat challenger Pinky Vargas.
42nd District Representative Republican Luanne Van Werven is now leading Justin Boneau by only 261 votes.
Fellow incumbent Vincent Buys lost some ground and is now trailing his Democratic challenger, Sharon Shewmake, by more than 800 ballots.
Candidate for Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Richey is claiming victory over James Erb, writing on his Facebook campaign page that no matter who you voted for, “I will be your prosecutor.”
Carol Frazey will likely take the County Council At-Large seat and Court of Appeals candidate Cecily Hazelrigg-Hernandez is still leading Tom SeGuine with 53%.
Support for Ferndale Schools $112-million bond edged up slightly to 58%, but is still below the 60% needed to pass.
The ballot count will be updated Thursday evening.