Backman claims commission race

Wahkiakum County election officials counted their latest batch of ballots Thursday morning, and incumbent county Commissioner Mike Backman took a 45-vote lead over challenger Greg Prestegard in the election for the District 1 position.

The margin, 1,177 to 1,132, was large enough to give Backman the win and avoid an automatic recount, required when the difference is one half of 1 percent or lower.

Prestegard had a five-vote lead, 999-994, in the Nov. 8 election day tallies.

Meanwhile, in the county's other commission election, incumbent Dan Cothren maintained a solid lead over challenger Robert L. Jungers, 1,245-987.

In other tight races:

--In the race for the District 19, Position 1, seat in the state legislature, Republican Jim Walsh led Democrat Teresa Purcell 27-645 to 27-518 on Tuesday. According to a report in the Wednesday Daily News of Longview, Purcell has conceded the race.

--Doug Goelz leads Mike Turner 5,708 to 5,644 in the race to fill the Pacific-Wahkiakum Superior Court Judge position. Goelz led 4,775-4,746 on election night. After the two counties updated their tallies Thursday, Turner led 4,917-4,855, but Goelz reclaimed the lead this week.

--In the race for state Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chris Reykdal led Erin Jones; Reykdal has 50.64 percent of the vote statewide; Jones has 49.36 percent.