Curt Gordon is leading in the three-way race for the Position 3 seat on the board for the Port of South Whidbey.

Gordon had 50 percent of the vote, according to the initial tally announced by Island County Tuesday night.

Newbauer was second in the race, with 33 percent of the vote. Jenkins had 9 percent.

The winner of the race will fill the seat vacated by former Port Commissioner Lynae Slinden, who resigned in August.

The race centered on economic development, though it took an interesting turn at the end when Jenkins lambasted Langley leaders for being part of an “inbred” monarchy that stifled dissent and did nothing to help local merchants.

The winner of the race will serve a four-year term.

Newbauer, 48, owns Island Angel Chocolates in Langley and lives in Clinton. She was recruited to run for the position by Slinden.

Jenkins, 64, is retired and best known for his involvement in trying to create a publicly owned power company on Whidbey Island to take over the territory served by Puget Sound Energy. The proposal was rejected by voters in November 2008.

Curt Gordon, 52, is the owner Island Asphalt in Clinton. He served on the South Whidbey Parks & Recreation District board for 18 years, and unsuccessfully ran for Island County commissioner in 2008.

In the other port race, for Position 2, Chris Jerome was leading Dean Enell in a dogfight.

Jerome had 50.9 percent of the vote, and Enell had 49 percent, in early vote returns.

Enell, 61, is a 20-year resident of South Whidbey and a retired Boeing worker.

Jerome, 54, is a scientific consultant who does medical research and lives in Langley.

The ultimate winner in the race will serve a six-year term.

Both port positions are nonpartisan.