Travis Marston and Kara Davis, Wasco County District Attorney candidates on the May 21 Primary ballot, discuss their positions at an April 30 candidate forum at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center, The Dalles.
Travis Marston and Kara Davis, Wasco County District Attorney candidates on the May 21 Primary ballot, discuss their positions at an April 30 candidate forum at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center, The Dalles.
THE GORGE — Lisa Gambee, county clerk, Wasco County Clerk’s office, said May 24 that the office had tabulated the ballots with valid postmarks to date that afternoon, with updated results posted.
“In the District Attorney race, Kara Davis is 48 votes ahead of Travis Marston at this time,” Gambee said. “The contest would have to be within 13 votes to trigger an automatic recount.”
Davis garnered 3,100 votes, or 50.30%; Marston, 3,052 votes, or 49.52%. There were also 11 write-in candidates (.18%).
Davis told Columbia Gorge News she is "cautiously optimistic" but there are still 100 contested ballots to be counted.
"This has been a long process," Davis said. "I'm very thankful to all the people who supported me and the work they put in during this election. I'd like to thank Mr. Marston as well. He's always been kind and gracious to me during this time."
Jeffrey L. Justesen
Gambee said that in the Commissioner Position 2 contest, the percentages remained relatively unchanged from Election Day. Jeff Justesen received 1,840 votes, or 29.68%; Brian Lauterbach, 1,649 votes, or 26.60%; Dan Richardson, 1,587 votes, or 25.60%; Darcy Long, 922 votes, or 14.87%; and John McElheran, 198 votes, or .05%. There were also a total of three write-in votes.
Measure 33-110, White River Health District Five-year Local Option Tax Levy, was defeated. Yes votes numbered 306, or 44.67%, and no votes 379, or 55.33%.
Jill Filla Amery, who ran uncontested for the assessor position, received 3,701 votes, or 98.33%. There were 63 write-in votes. John A. Olson, also uncontested for judge of the 7th District Circuit Court, had 3,654 votes, or 98.85%. There were 42 write-in votes.
Chad Muenzer
For Hood River County, Jennifer Euwer, running uncontested for commission chair, received 4,636 votes, or 96.66%; there were 160 write-in votes. Arthur Babitz, also uncontested for District 2, received 1,170 votes, or 96.61%; there were 41 write-in votes.
The contested District 4 race saw Chad Muenzer receiving 62.97% of the vote — 1,049 votes. Albert Nance received 336 votes, or 20.17%, and Brian Merz 275 votes, or 16.51%. There were six write-in votes.
Matthew Ellis
In the uncontested Hood River County District Attorney race, Matthew Ellis received 4,482 votes, or 96.95%. There were 141 write-in votes.
Measure 14-77, Hood River Valley Parks and Rec District five-year operating levy for park and recreation services, and 14-78, Hood River Valley Parks and Rec District bonds to replace aquatic center, fund parks and trails, both failed.
Measure 14-77 saw 2,797 yes votes, or 37.87%, and 4,588 no votes, or 62.13%. Measure 14-78 received 2,364 yes votes, or 31.952%, and 5,036 no, or 68.05%.
Measure 14-79, the West Side Fire levy, did pass, with 1,426 yes votes, or 61.84%, to 880 no votes, or 38.16%.
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