After the first votes were counted Tuesday, a political newcomer from Pe Ell is leading incumbent Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, for position 1 in the Washington state House of Representatives for Washington’s 19th Legislative District.
Erin Frasier, D-Pe Ell, is leading the primary election, with 51.11 percent of the vote in the state, while Walsh is currently the runner up, with 48.89 percent of the vote in the state.
In Lewis County, however, Walsh is leading the primary with a larger 66.22 percent of the vote, while Frasier is currently the runner up, with 33.78 percent of the vote.
Both will advance to the general election regardless of the results of the primary.
Frasier, a Pe Ell native, has never held elected office, but has experience as a policy associate at the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, was an adjunct faculty member, associate dean and director of Pacific County Programming and the WorkFirst assistant director at Grays Harbor College.
Walsh, who was elected in 2016, is the assistant ranking member on the Business and Financial Services Committee, and a member of both the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and the Capital Budget Committee.
“This is almost exactly where I was two years ago in the general election, so it’s a familiar place,” Walsh said. “Late ballots tend to cut in my direction, specifically, and in a conservative direction.”
Walsh noted that it’s premature to say anything with certitude.
“We’re going to have a spirited campaign,” Walsh said. “We are going to point out policy points and make it clear where (we each stand).”
Meanwhile, the runner-up for state representative position 2 is turning out to be hotly contested.
During the Primary Election, incumbent Brian Blake, D-Longview, was challenged by two candidates who filed for election — Joel McEntire, R-Cathlamet, and David Parsons, R-Kelso.
Blake is leading the Primary for state representative position 2, with 59.57 percent of the vote in the state and McEntire is leading as the runner up, with 21.77 percent of the vote in the state. Parsons is following with 18.66 percent of the vote in the state.
In Lewis County, however, McEntire is leading the Primary Election with 38.82 percent of the vote, while Blake is currently a close runner up with 38.03 percent of the vote. Parsons has 23.15 percent of the vote in Lewis County.
None of the challengers have previously held political office.
Blake has served as a state representative for 16 legislative sessions and is the chair of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. He also serves on the Commerce and Gaming Committee and the Business and Financial Services Committee.
Blake said he is not currently out celebrating and will continue to “get the work done” and push forward into the General Election.
“No, no,” he said about 10 minutes after the election results were released. “I just pulled into Aberdeen from Wenatchee. I’ve been in the Orca Whale Task Force meeting all day in Wenatchee.”
McEntire is a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Sergeant and middle school teacher, but has no previous elected experience. He is currently deployed in Kuwait and expects to return by the third week of August.
“So far I’m very pleased (with the results),” McEntire said. “I’m seeing how things are going so far.”
Parsons is lifetime resident of the 19th legislative district and has worked as a logger, educator and in health care.
“It’s just tough watching results on TV,” Parsons said. “I think we all want what’s best for our 19th district, and that’s why we run, is to try and make a difference.”
This vote count is based on the numbers released Wednesday afternoon.
