Several strong leads and some very close counts

RITZVILLE – The second count of Adams County ballots in the August 4 primary election was posted Friday, Aug. 7, by Elections Administrator Jacque Laird. Laird said after a final count, the election will be certified August 18.

Dan Blankenship, challenging two-term incumbent John Marshall for the County Commissioner, District 1 position, maintains his lead from the Aug. 4 count, with over twice as many votes as Marshall. Blankenship currently has 1,016 votes for 56.89% of votes over Marshall with 418 votes, or 23.4%. Coming in close behind Marshall is Glen R. Stockwell with 338 votes, or 18.92%. All three men are Republicans from Ritzville. There were 14 write-in votes.

For County Commissioner, District 2, Jay R. Weise has a lead with 452 votes for 63.31% over Ken Johnson with 248 votes at 34.73%. Both men are Republicans. There were 14 write-in votes.

Three maintenance and operations levies are passing at this count. Laird said if they don't pass in the primary, they can be re-submitted for the general election in November.

The Ritzville Park and Recreation District 4 Maintenance and Operations Levy has a narrow 53.14% margin of approval with 499 votes, versus 440 votes rejecting the measure.

The Lind Park and Recreation District 3 Maintenance and Operations Levy is faring slightly better, with a 57.19% approval at 167 votes, versus 125 votes rejecting it.

The Cemetery District 1 Maintenance and Operation Levy has a moderately strong approval with 83 votes for 68.6%, over 38 votes or 31.4% rejecting it.

Phillip Peterson garnered 35 votes for Precinct Committee Officer Partisan Office, Ritzville Rural SE, over John E. Faure with 13 votes.

Mark G. Schoesler of the G.O.P. party maintains his seat so far as State Senator of Legislative District 9, with 2,532 votes; or 79.7%, compared to Democrat Jenn Goulet with 635 votes for 19.99%.

Republican Mary Dye also maintains her seat as State Representative, Position 1, at this second count with 2,636 votes for 86.14% over Libertarian Brett Borden with 172 votes, or 13.27%.

In the State Representative, Position 2 position, Joe Schmick of the G.O.P. party running unopposed took 97.33% with 2,511 votes. There were 69 write-in votes.

Dan Newhouse maintains a strong lead to keep his seat as U.S. Representative, Congressional District 4, with 2,110 votes, or 67.48% of Adams County votes so far. Douglas McKinley had 530, and Tracy "Justice" Wright and Sarena Sloot were tied with 181 votes.

In the governor's race, Raul Garcia pulled ahead of Loren Culp's Aug. 4 lead among Adams County voters with 1,022 votes to Culp's 993. Jay Inslee garnered 552 votes, at 16.95% of Adams County votes; compared to Garcia at 31.39% and Culp at 30.5%.

Marty McClendon maintains his lead in the race for Lieutenant Governor among Adams County voters, at 621 votes for 21.5%. Ann Davison Sattler is at 20.08% with 580 votes. Joseph Brumbles is in third place with 428 votes, followed by Richard (Dick) Muri with 375.

Incumbent Kim Wyman holds a solid lead on maintaining her seat as Secretary of State, with 2,443 votes for 78.68% of Adams County votes. Gael Tarleton came in second with 531, followed by Ed Minger with 100.

Duane Davidson is the favorite so far for State Treasurer, with 2,435 votes, or 78.7% of Adams County votes. Mike Pellicciotti garnered 655 votes.

Chris Leyba has the lead for State Auditor at 2,331 or 75.49% of Adams County votes, followed by Pat (Patrice) McCarthy with 557, and Joshua Casey with 196.

A close race for Attorney General has Matt Larkin pulling ahead of Brett Rodger's Aug. 4 lead among Adams County voters. Larkin has 1,023 votes, while Rodgers has 937 and incumbent Bob Ferguson has 712 votes.

Sue Kuehl Pederson has pulled ahead of Cameron Whitney's earlier lead for Commissioner of Public Lands, with 761 Adams County voters favoring Pederson over 735 voting for Whitney. Incumbent Hilary Franz, in an earlier tie for third place with Steve Sharon, now has 594 votes over Sharon's 537.

Superintendent of Public Instruction sees Maia Espinoza still in the lead over Ron Higgins with Adams County voters. Espinoza garnered 888 votes, while Higgins came in at 723. Incumbent Chris Reykdal received 627 votes.

Republican Chirayu Avinash Patel maintains a strong lead in the race for Insurance Commissioner with 1,851 votes. Democrat Mike Kreidler pulled 782, and Libertarian Anthony Welti came in with 346.

The next ballot count in Adams County will be Aug. 11 at 2 p.m.