Close calls in Moses Lake elections

EPHRATA - Grant County Elections personnel counted thousands of votes throughout the day Tuesday sent in from residents across the county.

Initial returns reveal a voter turnout of just over 39 percent, with 13,591 ballots counted as of Tuesday night and an estimated 3,000 ballots left to go.

The next ballot count will take place Wednesday at 5 p.m. and all votes will be certified Nov. 29, according to the Grant County Auditor Dave Firebaugh.

Moses Lake City Council

Moses Lake Mayor Jon Lane is currently leading position 7 challenger Todd Voth with 1,459 votes to Voth's 1,367, or 52 percent to 48 percent.

If Lane can hold onto his narrow lead, he said he'd be honored to have another opportunity to serve the wants and needs of people in Moses Lake.

"Not just those who live in the city limits but those who work and shop in the city as well," he added.

In position 6, Dick Deane easily kept his seat safe from challenger James Liebrecht, capturing 62 percent of the vote to Liebrecht's 38 percent.

"I'm pleased to have been selected by the community to represent the community," Deane said. "I'm privileged to be a citizen of the county and this fine city."

Jason Avila was held a narrow lead over Darrin Jackson for the position 3 seat currently held by Richard Pearce. Avila, who had received 1,385 votes to Jackson's 1,280, or 52 percent to 48 percent, thanked his family, friends and community members for their support and encouragement throughout the campaign.

Moses Lake Port District 10

In the port commissioner 2 position, Stroud Kunkle appears to have edged Brian McGowan out of the seat, with 2,799 votes to McGowan's 2,311, or 55 percent to 45 percent.

"I am extremely grateful and pleased with the support I have received and am looking forward to assisting the continuing growth of the port and the surrounding communities," Kunkle said.

For his part, McGowan said citizens of Moses Lake will have a "great leader" with Kunkle.

"I look forward to the knowledge he will bring to the commission," he said.

Warden Mayor

Current Warden Councilman Tony Massa was the clear winner over newcomer Kayla Kight Tuesday, with 140 votes to Kight's 40, or 78 percent to 22 percent.

Massa said he looks forward to developing a plan for growth and making Warden a better place to raise a family, but it will take hard work.

"I think the first year is going to be building a plan on how to get us where we want to go and how we're going to get there," he said.

Massa is excited for the opportunity to be mayor, seeing it as a chance to serve the community.

Grand Coulee Mayor

Chris Christopherson is ahead of Mike Horne for the city's mayoral position with 120 to 90 votes, or 57 percent to 43 percent.

Coulee City Council

Otto Jensen leads Carmen Hammons for position 2 by 53 votes, or 65 percent to 35 percent.

Truman Crisler and Lorna Pearce are tied for position 3 at 86 votes each.

Quincy City Council

Position 3 challenger Thomas Harris is 21 votes up on incumbent councilman Tony Gonzalez, 52 percent to 48 percent.

Electric City Council

Corrine (Marie) Chuinard is the clear position 3 winner over write-in candidate Lonna Bussert, with 115 to 48 votes, or 71 percent to 29 percent.

School Board Positions

In the Ephrata School District, Bill Correll received 1,140 votes, or 59 percent, for the director 2 position and Paul Harrison received 798, or 41 percent of the votes.

In the Moses Lake School District's director 1 position, Allan Burritt is leading Steven Crapson 2,948 votes to 2,107, or 58 percent to 42 percent.

In the Royal School District's director 4 position, Michael Noftle is leading Ben Fanning 263 votes to 238, or 53 percent to 47 percent.

Grant County Fire District 8

For the commissioner 2 position, Scott Nesbit beat Richard Kummer 272 votes to 115, or 70 percent to 30 percent.

For the commissioner 4 position, Debra Crain is leading Diane Shimmin 239 votes to 140, or 63 percent to 37 percent.

Hospital Districts

In Grant County Hospital District 1 position 3, Julie Weisenburg bested Tom Hayes 3,054 votes to 2,003, or 60 percent to 40 percent.

For Grant County Hospital District 3 position 3, Donna Catlow Knauss is leading M Jordan Hansen 1,216 votes to 681, or 64 percent to 36 percent.

In Grant County Hospital District 4 position 2, Jennifer Schwartz is leading B.L. Ready 649 votes to 405, or 62 percent to 38 percent.

In Grant County Hospital District 4 position 3, Charles Fogerson holds a narrow lead over Steve Wellein, with 488 votes to 469, or 51 percent to 49 percent.

For Grant County Hospital District 6 position 3, Richard King is leading Gary Carriere 272 votes to 190, or 59 percent to 41 percent.

Grant County Port District 5, Proposition 1

Voters opted for the elimination of commissioner districts, with a 56 percent no vote.

Wilson Creek Cemetery District 2, Proposition 1

Voters said a resounding 'yes' to this special one year maintenance and operation levy, with 78 percent in favor.