Grant County commissioner race within one vote

by Chaz Holmes<br>Herald Staff Writer
| August 25, 2008 9:00 PM

General election is on Nov. 4

EPHRATA - The latest results from Washington state's first top-two primary shows a tight race for Grant County commissioner position No. 2.

Republican candidate Carolann Swartz leads incumbent Republican LeRoy Allison by one vote, according to the Grant County Auditor's Office.

Swartz received 50.01 percent of the votes with 2,420 ballots cast in her favor.

Allison received 49.98 percent of the votes with 2,419 ballots cast in his favor.

In the race for Grant County Superior Court Judge Position 2, Grant County Prosecutor John Knodell appears to win with 65.27 percent of the votes with 8,818 ballots compared to attorney Douglas Anderson receiving 34.72 percent of the votes with 4,691 ballots.

Voting results are finalized after the election by the Grant County canvassing board.

The race for Grant County PUD Commissioner District A at large position continues to the general election with incumbent Tom Flint leading with 59.18 percent of the votes with 3,897 ballots cast in his favor. Sam A. Johnson trails receiving 25.99 percent of the votes with 1,712 ballots.

"I guess I have a lot of work to do," Johnson said. "I'm going to start bringing up issues and try to explain what I'm going to do and how I'm going to do it."

He said this involves details of his plans regarding fiber optic Internet infrastructure.

"I want to thank the public for those that voted for me," he added.

In the Congressional District 4 race, incumbent Republican Doc Hastings received the most support with 68.33 percent of the votes with 10,368 ballots cast in his favor in Grant County. Democratic contender George Fearing received 27.11 percent of the votes with 4,114 ballots.

For the office of governor, Dino Rossi received more votes compared to incumbent Gov. Chris Gregoire in both Grant County and Adams County.

Rossi received 64.08 percent of the votes in Grant County, with 9,941 to Gregoire's 28.13 percent and 4,365 votes. In Adams County Rossi received 67 percent with 1,785 votes and Gregoire received 26.80 percent with 714 votes.

Since this is the state's first top-two primary, the two candidates receiving the most votes in the primary continue into the general election.

Elections of judges were determined in the primary.

Results are as of Aug. 22.

The general election is Nov. 4.