Backman takes 20 vote lead

Independent candidate Mike Backman has overtaken Democrat Greg Prestegard to lead the election for Wahkiakum County commissioner by 20 votes.

Prestegard led 966-946 in initial counting November 6, but after a batch of late arriving votes were counted November 8, Backman had moved ahead by a tally of 1,111 to 1,091.

Elections officials will count the last of the late arriving vote by mail ballots and certify the election on November 27. An automatic recount would be in order if the margin is less than 1 percent, 22 votes at this point.

Results were unchanged in other local races. Here are the latest tallies:

  Party Nov. 6 Nov. 8 County Commissioner, District 1

Greg Prestegard D 966 1091

Mike Backman I 946 1111 County Commissioner, District 2

Joan Harvey Chester   I 645 741

Dan L. Cothren I 1238 1422 County Treasurer

Marlena G. Silva D 755 854

Tammy Peterson D 1065 1236 Commissioner, Wahkiakum PUD

District 1

Lisa Marsyla NP 742 874

Gene Healy NP 1121 1272 District 2

Robert L. Jungers NP 1286 1476

Wahkiakum County has 2,829 registered voters. Of them, 2,337 have returned ballots to date, 82.61 percent, the fifth highest turnout in the state.