Talbott, Bensel Advance

WAITSBURG - A nar- row race in the Primary Election on Tuesday kept three Columbia County commissioner District 2 candidates on their toes with a margin of just 64 votes between the leading and eliminated candidates.

With 171 votes Tuesday night, Mike Talbott led the commissioner candidates for that seat, advancing to the General Election on Nov. 6 with 40.62 percent. A total of 1,132 votes were cast in Columbia County with 421 votes for the commissioner candidates.

"It looks like it's going to be strong competition," Talbott said. "It's only 7 percent, which is not insur- mountable."

With 143 votes, Tom Bensel will also be advanc- ing to the general election with 33.97 percent.

"It looks like we're go- ing to be busy," Bensel said. "I've got a whole bunch more doors to knock on."

Anne Higgins received 107 votes, or 25.42 percent, and will not be advancing to the general election.

"I wish the top two the best," Higgins said Tuesday night.

Talbott and Bensel will be vying for the position current District 2 Commissioner Dick Jones is leaving behind in his retirement. Current District 1 Commissioner Dwight Robanske ran unopposed in this Primary Election to retain his position.

Talbott has run for the commission position previ- ously against Jones, but was not successful. Talbott currently works as a farmer in Dayton. Bensel manages a company focused on wind energy and with Puget Sound Energy. Hig- gins owns and operates the Shell gas station on Cherry Street in Dayton.

The votes will be tallied again on Tuesday, Aug. 21 before the General Election in November. There are 2,588 registered voters in Columbia County and 43.74 percent turned out for this Primary Election.

The election will be certifi ed on Aug. 21.

Walla Walla County

Commissioner District 2

Just about 320 votes made the difference Tuesday in the Walla Walla County Com- missioners' race for position 2 between candidates Frank Brown and Chris Blackman. One-term incumbent and Waitsburg resident Perry Dozier came out on top with 1,323 votes, or 53.3 percent.

Blackman received 738 votes, or 29.73 percent, and Brown received 421 votes, or 19.96 percent. Both Blackman and Brown live in Walla Walla. Dozier is a wheat farmer, Black- man is a school teacher and Brown served Walla Walla County as the coroner for six years.

Dozier had been in a meeting when the votes came in Tuesday night. He was happy to hear that he was the leader in his race and said he can now focus on the county budget rath- er than campaigning for the next couple of weeks.

"I really want to thank those who supported me," Dozier said. "I'm committed to making Walla Walla County financially sound in the future."

He said he doesn't yet have a strategic plan to earn even more votes to secure his spot against Blackman in November. But, the county will benefit, he believes.

"My main focus is the county and working on the budget," he said. "We have a lot of work ahead of us."

Blackman on Tuesday night said she is "thrilled to be moving on to the Novem- ber race. She said her strategy to earn even more votes is to encourage people to turn in their ballots. Only about 26 percent of Walla Walla voters turned in their ballots in this election, according to the auditor's website.

"I will focus on getting out the vote," she said. "Peo- ple don't realize how impor- tant it is to vote."

Blackman was celebrat- ing with family friends at Jacobi's Café in Walla Walla Tuesday night.

Even though Brown is out of the November General Election, he has a strategic plan - helping Blackman win the commissioner post.

"I think she'll do a good job," Brown said. "I think we do need a change. Nothing against Perry."

Brown said the commis- sioner race has been a good one and he's looking for- ward to helping Blackman win because he believes she will answer well to the peo- ple of Walla Walla County.

This isn't Brown's first time running for the commissioner seat. Brown ran against Dozier four years ago and lost in the primaries. This time around, he was hoping for better results, especially because he's got more time to devote to cam- paigning.

He said campaigning was actually his favorite part because he got to meet his community members.

" I enjoyed running because I enjoy people," Brown said.

Superior Court Judge

Scott Wolfram was lead- ing Richard Wernette in the close race for Walla Wal- la County Superior Court Judge Position 2 Tuesday night. Wolfram had 4,015 votes, or 54.47 percent, and Wernette had 3,356 votes, or 45.53 percent.

Both candidates have been attorneys in Walla Walla for years and boast experience that would make them great judges.

Wolfram was celebrating at Jacobi's Café as well on Tuesday night and said while he is excited to be in the lead, he won't breathe easy until about 2,500 outstanding votes are counted on Thursday.

"I'm humbled about that victory," Wolfram said. "I'm waiting until they count the rest of the ballots. I'm always a little worried until it's done."

Wernette on Tuesday night said the nearly 660 votes that make up the difference isn't a large amount of votes, and it will depend on what precinct the outstanding ballots are from who wins. He's also holding his breath in antici- pation until a more final pic- ture emerges after the count on Thursday.

"I'm not able to concede or declare victory yet," Wer- nette said.

As of Tuesday night, 8,259 ballots had been counted in Walla Walla County. The auditor's office will likely count another 2,589 on Thursday at 4 p.m. The election will be certified on Aug. 21.