If his lead holds, Tim Callison will be the next mayor of Langley.
According to the Island County Auditor’s Office’s first release of general election results Tuesday evening, Callison is cruising along with 233 votes, or 55.2 percent of the vote. By comparison, Sharon Emerson trails with 189 ballots, or 44.8 percent. It’s a difference of 44 votes.
“We’re very encouraged,” said Callison, who stepped out of an Election Day gathering with friends at a restaurant in Langley to speak with The Record.
“The fact that I have 55 percent of the vote is very surprising to us,” he added.
Emerson was not ready to concede, saying she’s going to wait for all the ballots to be counted.
“What can I say, I’m behind,” she said. “It might stay that way, and it might not. I’ll just wait and see and let the people’s will be done.”
“I think I ran a good campaign and did the best I could do … I’m real happy for all the support I have gotten,” she added.
Both Emerson and Callison were first-time political candidates.
Callison led in the primary with 210 votes to Emerson’s 191. Councilman Thomas Gill was eliminated from the general election with 76 votes, but he later endorsed Callison.
Callison watched from the sidelines as husband of Councilwoman Robin Black before entering the race. He wanted to continue many of the initiatives and programs started by Mayor Fred McCarthy, who chose to not seek re-election after filling out a vacated term.
Emerson entered the scene promising a fresh voice and outsider’s perspective to running City Hall. Her first foray into the world of politics came when she questioned and criticized the city’s pursuit of a funicular to connect the marina to the downtown commercial core.
Callison will work with what is largely the same council as exists today. Only one new candidate entered the race this year: Ursula Shoudy, who ran unopposed to take over Councilman Jim Sundberg’s position, which he chose to not seek again. She received 252 votes as a neophyte to public office.
Councilman Bruce Allen was elected with 264 votes to his second term.
Councilwoman Black was elected to her first full term with 248 votes. Hers may be short lived, however. She submitted a letter of resignation, contingent upon her husband winning the election. It would take effect Jan. 1, leaving a vacancy for the council to appoint a replacement.
