Dano increases lead

EPHRATA - Moses Lake attorney Garth Dano increased his lead over current Grant County Prosecutor Angus Lee.

With an estimated 500 votes to count, Dano leads by 1,276 votes, according to county elections results released Wednesday.

Dano and Lee were unavailable for comment Wednesday.

After Tuesday's elections results were announced at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dano expressed guarded optimism and Lee was ready to concede.

Lee thanked his supporters on his Facebook page stating "though the county has chosen a different direction, I wish the next administration the best of luck."

Dano received 2,224 more votes than Lee in the Aug. 5 primary, according to county elections results.

Dano out-fundraised and out-spent Lee during the election. Dano raised about $89,000 and spent more than $82,000; Lee raised about $28,000 including more than $5,000 of his own money and spent about $14,000.

Dano ran on a platform of cleaning up the prosecutor's office, stating Lee has entangled the county in too many costly lawsuits and a state ethics complaint. Lee stated his increased trial convictions and reduction is juvenile crime speak for itself.