Tom Dent decisively leading in 13th District

MOSES LAKE - Former chair of the Grant County Republican Party Tom Dent was holding a decisive lead for a 13th District seat in the state House of Representatives, over fellow Republican Dani Bolyard.

Dent received 61 percent of the 12,463 votes in Grant County, while Bolyard received 39 percent. Dent received 63 percent of the 15,603 overall votes in the 13th District, to Bolyard's 37 percent.

In the August primary's, Dent received 65 percent of the overall vote in the 13th District, while Bolyard received 35 percent.

Dent will be replace the seat left vacant by Rep. Judy Warnick, who left the position to run for the 13th District's Senate seat.

"I am humbled and happy and everything at the same time," remarked Dent. "I don't know which emotion I have the most."

Dent is a long time Moses Lake resident and businessman. He has served as member of the Moses Lake Airport Commission since 1994.

Dent beat Coulee City resident Bolyard, who is the former chairwoman of the Grant County Republican Party.

He said he was not surprised by the margin of victory in the race and his camp has always been optimistic.

"We thought it would do that, you know you are always optimistic, cautiously what you say or think. Usually it doesn't change a lot from the primary to the general, it doesn't change a lot, the percentage," Dent stated. "What will change it is some kind of a big deal, somebody does something really stupid. I didn't do anything to lose votes."

Dent stated he will soon be releasing a plan of action explaining his priorities once in office.