In the general election, South Whidbey voters will have their choice between two Democrats – incumbent Melanie Bacon and her challenger Marie Shimada – in the race for Island County Commissioner, District 1.

The four candidates were winnowed to just two on Aug. 6.

As of Thursday night, the Island County Elections office reported that the total number of ballots counted was 23,501, with an estimated 7,400 left to count.

Bacon received 4,129 votes, or nearly 37%, while Shimada earned 3,414 votes in her favor, which is about 30.5%.

The two Democrats edged out their Republican opponents in the race for county commissioner to represent Coupeville and South Whidbey. Steven Myres got 2,685 votes, or 24%, while Wanda Grone received 956 votes, or 8.5%.

Despite the challenges she has faced these past few months juggling her current county commissioner role with her duties as the interim HR director of Island Transit, Bacon said she was able to focus on a reelection campaign.

“With the support of the voters of all of Island County, and together with a dedicated team of friends helping my campaign for the general election, I plan to continue this momentum and remain your County Commissioner for the next four years so I can finish the vital tasks I first set in motion four years ago,” she said.

In the preliminary count, it appears that the levy lid lift for South Whidbey Fire/EMS has received enough votes to pass. It received 4,455 “yes” votes, or nearly 64%.

“I want to say thank you to our community for partnering with us to save lives and property,” Fire Chief Nick Walsh said. “We want our taxpayers to know that we will report back as improvements are made.”

An emergency medical services levy for the Whidbey Island Public Hospital District apparently has garnered enough votes to pass. It got 13,146 votes in its favor, which is about 70.4%

On the North End, just 29 votes separate Democrat Christina Elliott and Republican incumbent Jill Johnson in the race for Island County Commissioner, District 2.

Elliott received 1,991 votes, or about 37.5%, while Johnson earned 1,882, or 36.9%. Phil Collier, Johnson’s Republican challenger, fell short at 1,298 votes, or 25.5%.

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 20,315 votes statewide, or 52.3%. Republican Carrie Kennedy received 10,357 votes, or 26.7%, which will earn her a spot on the general election ballot. Republican Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam got the least votes with 8,102, or 20.9%.

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 21,620, or 55.5%, while Wray earned 17,310 votes, or 44.4%.

Republican Ron Muzzall and Democrat Janet St. Clair were the top two vote-getters for state senator, with Muzzall at 19,013 votes, or 48.4%, and St. Clair with 17,769 votes in her favor, which is 45.2%. Democrat Denny Sandberg earned the least votes at 2,449, or 6.2%.

In the contest for District 2 U.S. Representative, Democrat Rick Larsen had a healthy lead over his seven challengers, with 86,996 votes, or 48.7%. MAGA Republican Cody Hart, who earned 35,554 votes, or 19.9%, will join him on the general election ballot.

The next ballot count was scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday, which happened after the South Whidbey Record went to press.