In the days since preliminary election results have been released around the state, more votes have been counted, but the elections that impact Lewis County have remained more or less the same, with many candidates officially declaring victory or others conceding.
In the highest profile race of the region, Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, declared victory on election night. Her opponent, state Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, officially conceded Thursday morning.
"Congratulations to Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez on her victory,” Braun wrote in a statement published on his social media pages. “In a democracy the voters have the last word and I respect their decision. I wish Marie success in representing Southwest Washington. When our district succeeds, we all benefit. For me, service isn't defined by a title, an election, or whether things go exactly the way you planned. Service is what you're willing to do for others. Service brought me into this race, and that commitment is not going to change.”
In the two highest profile Lewis County races, Lewis County Special Services Chief Gabriel Frase’s victory appears certain as his margin over former Centralia police Sgt. Tracy Murphy remains the same, even with nearly 5,000 more ballots counted after the initial tally.
Incumbent Lewis County Commissioner Scott Brummer’s seat also seems secure as his lead over Michael Hadaller also remains with additional ballots counted.
Generally speaking, incumbents fared well in Southwest Washington this cycle, with all major candidates seeking reelection in Lewis County emerging victorious and first-time candidates endorsed by incumbents performing equally well.
According to the most recent numbers from the Washington Secretary of State, Lewis County saw 38,703 ballots cast, representing approximately 65% of the county’s 60,000 registered voters. The office also estimates there are less than 50 ballots left to count in Lewis County.
Lewis County’s turnout was among the highest rates in the state, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.
Below is a brief update of the most recent ballot counts for each race relevant to Lewis County and appearing on the general election ballot as of Friday afternoon. For elections that spread across multiple counties, vote counts and percentages refer to total votes counted in the election including those in other counties.
See updated counts here: https://results.votewa.gov/results/public/washington/elections/20261103
• Washington state 3rd Congressional District: Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, 176,744 votes or 53.62%; John Braun, 149,916 or 45.48%
• Washington state Legislative District 19 Position 1: Jim Walsh, 33,713 or 55.43%; Kevin Moynihan, 27,040 or 44.46%
• Washington state Legislative District 19 Position 2: Joel McEntire, 33,131 or 54.89%; Terry Carlson, 27,084 or 44.87%
• Washington state Legislative District 20 Position 1: Peter Abbarno, 49,570 or 65.28%; Andy Zahn, 26,176 or 34.47%
• Washington state Legislative District 20 Position 2: Ed Orcutt, 47,490 or 62.60%; Evan Jones, 28,225 or 37.20%
• Lewis County Auditor: Mitchell Merrill, 18,695 or 58.35%; Mitch Townsend; 12,545 or 37.16%
• Lewis County Coroner: Warren McLeod, 20,016 or 54.77%; Jessica Stickley, 16,411 or 44.91%
• Lewis County Sheriff: Gabriel Frase, 19,674 or 56.40%; Tracy Murphy, 14,546 or 41.70%
• Lewis County Commissioner District 3: Scott Brummer, 17,704 or 53.56%; Hadaller 14,617 or 44.22%
• Lewis County Public Utility District Commissioner District 1: Steve Grega, 14,592 or 54.68%; Jeff Baine; 11,838 or 44.36%
• Timberland Regional Library Levy Lid Lift: Yes, 95,385 or 55.75%; No 75,709 or 44.25%
• Chehalis Transportation Benefit District Sales Tax: Approved, 1,956 or 72.90%; Rejected 727 or 27.10%
• Fire Protection District 6 Fire Services Levy Lid Lift: Approved, 2,366 or 57.71%; Rejected, 1,734 or 42.29%
Below are some additional results specific to Thurston County. According to the Washington Secretary of State’s Office, Thurston County has counted 96,442 ballots so far accounting for roughly 45% of its 214,940 registered voters.
• Thurston County Assessor: JJ Olson, 48,081 or 57.32%; Lynda Nashed Zeman, 33,997 or 40.53%
• Thurston County Clerk: Nicole Miller, 45,979 or 51.21%; Garrett Cady, 43,373 or 48.31%
• Thurston County District 5 Commissioner: Nicolas Martinez-Dunning, 39,717 or 46.16%; Emily Clouse 44,806 or 52.08%
• Thurston County Sheriff: Derek Sanders, 64,953 or 69.91%; Kevin Burton-Crow 27,686 or 29.80%
