Close races in Moses Lake, Soap Lake

MOSES LAKE — Although there was only one race in each of the respective cities, there was no shortage of surprises when the unofficial results from Tuesday night’s primary were announced.

The Grant County Auditor’s Office reports the next scheduled ballot count is 4 p.m. Wednesday. Out of the 25,384 registered voters in Grant County, a total of 5,479 ballots have been counted so far, a 21.58 percent voter turnout.

Moses Lake

In the Moses Lake race to make it to the November general election the voters had their say in a less-than-decisive fashion. Residents were casting their votes for Moses Lake City Council Position No. 1, with retired educator Michael Riggs coming in as the top vote getter with a total of 704 votes, a 34.75 percent total.

“My platform is that we want to have a community where people are supported and valued. And we do that through mutual respect and by taking personal responsibility. Those are the platforms that I think benefit all of us,” Riggs stated.

Retired physician's assistant Dean Hankins came in a close second with 671 votes, a 33.12 percent total. Mayor Todd Voth came in third with 651 votes, a 32.13 percent total.

"Everybody that I have talked to has commented that sometimes I am a little too honest. And everybody that I have worked with has told me the same thing," Hankins said with a slight chuckle. "I speak up and will continue to do that."

Soap Lake

The choices for Soap Lake City Council Position No. 4 were similar to the ones presented to Moses Lake voters. Soap Lake had the choice between an established presence on the council in the incumbent Robert Brown and his challengers, Judith Gorman and Debra Parmenter Still.

Tuesday night’s unofficial results put Brown’s vote total at 88 votes, a 36.51 percent total. Still came in a close second with 87 votes, a 36.1 percent total. Gorman came in third with 66 votes, a 27.39 percent total. Neither Brown nor Still could be reached for comment.