In the general election, North Whidbey voters will have their choice between the incumbent Republican, Jill Johnson, and her Democratic challenger, Christina Elliot – in the race for Island County Commissioner, District 2.

As of Aug. 6, the race to represent Oak Harbor and North Whidbey for the county was close, though three candidates dropped to two.

Elliot received 994 votes, about 37%, while Johnson earned 987, about 36.7%. Phil Collier, Johnson’s Republican challenger, fell behind at 702 votes.

Tuesday night, Elections Supervisor Michele Reagan, wearing a shirt reading “vote” in capital letters, checked her watch at each passing minute, waiting for the clock in the Island County elections office in Coupeville to strike 8 p.m.

Ballots filled the room; when the time came, Reagan pushed a single button. A horizontal bar on her screen turned green.

“And that’s it,” she said. The votes were in.

In that moment, the total number of ballots counted was 12,999, with an estimated 7,500 to go.

“The results and what they mean are exciting of course, but the process, not so much,” Reagan said.

An emergency medical services levy for the Whidbey Island Public Hospital District apparently has garnered enough votes to pass. It achieved 6,866 votes in its favor, about 69.3%.

Democrats also appeared to fare well in the 10th Legislative District races, with some exceptions.

Democrat Clyde Shavers maintained a strong lead in the race for State Representative, Pos. 1, with 12,455 votes statewide, or 52.5%. Republican Carrie Kennedy received 6,523 votes, or 27.5%, which will earn her a spot on the general election ballot. Republican Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam got the least votes with 4,698, or 19.8%.

As the only two candidates in the race for State Representative, Pos. 2, Democrat Dave Paul and Republican Gary Wray will both be advancing to Nov. 5. Paul got the most votes at 13,228, or 55.6%, while Wray earned 10,540 votes, or 44.3%.

Republican Ron Muzzall and Democrat Janet St. Clair were the top two vote-getters for state senator, with Muzzall at 11,551 votes, or 48.2%, and St. Clair with 10,775 votes in her favor, which is nearly 45%. Democrat Denny Sandberg earned the fewest votes at 1,605, or 6.7%.

In the contest for District 2 U.S. Representative, Democrat Rick Larsen had a healthy lead over his seven challengers, with 33,981 votes, or 49.3%. MAGA Republican Cody Hart, who earned 14,057 votes, 20.4%, will join him on the general election ballot.

Election night always results in winners and losers, Reagan said.

“(There is) always going to be people happy with what the numbers say and always going to be people unhappy with what the numbers say,” she said. “That’s really none of my concern. My concern is to ensure the numbers are accurate.”