David Curnel takes big lead over Nathan Pack

MOSES LAKE — In a race that pitted a physician against a business owner, Moses Lake council member David Curnel is currently holding a sizable lead over challenger Nathan Pack for Position No. 5 on the council.

Curnel received 1,491 votes, a 69.16 percent total, while Pack is a distant second with 665 votes, a 30.84 percent total.

Curnel is a physician and didn’t have any experience in city government prior to running for city council. He previously told the Columbia Basin Herald he was running on a platform of emphasizing public safety and infrastructure. He said he wants to better look at city departments, the fire department in particular, and analyze financials, efficiencies and inefficiencies. He also wants to work toward increasing police department personnel, which is currently down and has been down a couple of positions for a number of years.

Pack is a self-described entrepreneur and owner of Pack’s Delivery LLC. He previously served as a board member for the Moses Lake Business Association, is a past president of the Moses Lake Business Association and an ambassador for the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Pack ran for Grant County commissioner in 2016, making it all the way to last year’s general election against former Moses Lake Fire Department Chief Tom Taylor. Pack was handily defeated by Taylor however, coming in almost 9,000 votes behind the former fire chief.

Tuesday night’s results are unofficial. The Grant County Auditor’s Office reports there is still 10,426 ballots left to be counted. The next scheduled ballot count is set for today at 4:30 p.m. The results will be certified by the state auditor’s office Nov. 28.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.