Wahkiakum votes right; Tischer defeats Backman; Blake, Takko are losing

Initial results of the long anticipated general election are in, and Wahkiakum County voters showed a strong conservative streak, supporting Republican candidates and rejecting statewide issues.

The results mirrored votes across the region; in state District 19, voters have retired Senator Dean Takko and Brian Blake and supported re-election of Republican Congresswoman Jamie Herrera Beutler.

While Wahkiakum voters supported the Republican Trump/Pence presidential ticket in the national race that has generated so much interest in the election, voters in Pacific County supported Democrat Biden/Harris candidacy. As this was written Tuesday evening, the two tickets were locked in a tight race that could take several days to decide.

And while Wahkiakum voters steered to the right, tallies across the state supported Democrats and incumbent Republicans in the elections for state offices.

Wahkiakum County

In Wahkiakum County's election for county commissioner, District 1, challenger Lee Tischer led two-term incumbent Mike Backman 1,486 to 1,070. In the race for commissioner district 2,

incumbent Dan Cothren easily defeated challenger Tim Lawry 1,683-791.

County residents also renewed a special levy to support county emergency medical services by a vote of 1,682-946.

As of Tuesday evening, Wahkiakum County had a 77.97 voter turnout with 266 ballots left to count and the next count today (Thursday) at 12 noon.

Pacific County

Pacific County voters re-elected their incumbent county commissioners.

Republican Lisa Olsen defeated Democrat Darrell Moudry 6,625-5,611, and Democrat Frank Wolfe defeated Libertarian Dan Driscoll 6,081-5,566.

In a non-partisan election for commissioner of PUD #2, challenger Pam Hickey holds a narrow lead over incumbent Mike Swanson, 5,613-5-011.

As of Tuesday evening, Pacific County had a 76.75% voter turnout with 150 ballots remaining and the next count at 4 p.m. Friday.