Strong edges Brady by two votes; recount set for next Wednesday

Incumbent Blair Brady outpolled challenger Gene Strong 6-2 when Wahkiakum County election officials tallied the final votes of the 2018 general election, but Strong led the final count by two votes, 1,189-1,187.

With the margin that close, there will be a mandatory recount. That has been scheduled for 9 a.m. next Wednesday.

Election officials will count the ballots by hand, said election supervisor Sue O’Connor. A representative of the Office of the Secretary of State will attend, and the two candidates and the parties they represent will be invited to observe. Brady ran as a Democrat, and Strong ran as an Independent.

Of the county’s 3,096 registered voters, 2,488 cast countable ballots for a turnout of 80.36 percent, fifth highest among the state’s 39 counties. San Juan County had the highest turnout at 83.83 percent, followed by Garfield at 83.28, Jefferson 83.12 percent, and Columbia 82.73. Turnout statewide was 71.78 percent.