By The Chronicle staff
Warren McLeod appears poised to go to the general election in November and fight for one last term as Lewis County coroner after posting a significant lead in the initial primary election vote tally Tuesday evening.
The incumbent Lewis County coroner, a Republican, received 54.82% of the vote, according to preliminary results, representing 8,312 votes in his favor.
Former Lewis County Coroner’s Office employee Jessica Stickley, an independent, was in second place with 27.38%, representing 4,151 votes.
Lewis County Coroner’s Office Deputy Chief Chelsie Niemcziek drew 17.49%, representing 2,651 votes.
The top two candidates move on to the general election in November.
The preliminary results do not represent the final totals. An updated ballot count was expected on Wednesday afternoon. The election will be certified Aug. 21.
Even so, McLeod has come out with a significant lead over his challengers.
He is the only incumbent in the county to face multiple opponents and capture more than 50% of the vote at this point in the count.
In a short phone call on election night, McLeod said he saw the overwhelming results as an endorsement of a job well done and approval of the things he hopes to do in his next term as Lewis County coroner.
“The message I got was that the majority of voters are content with the work I’ve done and what I intend to do,” McLeod said. “It’s a vote of confidence, and I don’t take that lightly.”
McLeod has been the Lewis County coroner since 2011. After defeating his opponent in his first campaign and taking over for former longtime county Coroner Terry Wilson, he has run unopposed every cycle.
After 16 years as Lewis County coroner, McLeod previously told The Chronicle this year will be the last time he will run for the seat.
“If I win the election, this will be my last term,” McLeod said. “If I do win, after the next term, it'll be time to turn the reins over. It would be 20 years.”
McLeod is endorsed by the Lewis County Republican Party.
