Moses Lake races close
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Mayor Ron Covey is the only incumbent trailing a challenger in the general election.
The Grant County Auditor’s Office counted the majority of the ballots for the general election Tuesday.
There are four contested races on the Moses Lake City Council, all races are within 300 votes.
Two of the three incumbents have a lead over their challengers.
Position 1
Incumbent Bill Ecret has the lead over challenger Jason McCreary. Ecret received 1,370 votes and McCreary has 1,116 votes.
“I’m glad they look the way they look right now,” Ecret said about the results. “I hope to continue what we started.”
Ecret said he is thankful for his supporters who believe he will serve the community well for the next four years.
The challenger remains hopeful for a victory.
“It’s actually pretty close,” McCreary said. “I’m hopeful.”
He said he appreciates his supporters and said if he does not win, he will try again. He added there are aspects of the city he hopes to change.
During his campaign, he met several people and heard various views, McCreary said.
Position 2
Challenger Karen Liebrecht has a lead over incumbent Mayor Ron Covey. She has 1,386 votes and Covey obtained 1,217 votes.
Covey declined to share comments about the preliminary results. He said he preferred to wait until all the ballots are counted.
“I’m pretty excited,” Liebrecht said. “I’m very surprised.”
She said she hopes to gain the majority of the remaining ballots.
“I’m keeping my fingers crossed,” she added.
Liebrecht is thankful for her supporters.
Position 4
Incumbent Brent Reese leads challenger Darrin Jackson with 1,251 votes. Jackson has 1,105 votes.
Neither candidate was available for comment.
Position 5
Candidate David Curnel leads the race over candidate Tom Hayes with 1,304 votes. Hayes has 1,114 votes.
Incumbent James H. Liebrecht currently holds the position but was eliminated in the primary election.
Hayes said the election was still close and preferred to wait to comment until after all the ballots were counted.
Curnel was not available for comment.