Langley will have some new faces on the city council next year.
Based on the latest count from the Island County Elections Office, Christy Korrow and Peter Morton both won their seats by massive margins. Similarly, incumbent Dominique Emerson is way ahead of her challenger and will retain her seat.
Korrow sought position 1 on the council and has a whopping 77.19 percent lead over incumbent Burt Beusch, 22.81 percent. Korrow has 440 votes to Beusch’s 130.
“I was surprised,” Korrow told The Record. “I think my campaign opponent ran a strong, professional campaign, so yeah I was surprised… I was expecting a close race.”
Korrow said she’s also excited and is already turning her attention to the job ahead. She said she’s picked up a copy of the budget, is looking at committees on which she might serve and doing other necessary homework.
“I’m ready to get to work,” Korrow said.
Emerson, who sought to retain position 2, is also far ahead of challenger Bill Nesbeitt with 79.75 percent of the vote — Nesbeitt has just 20.25 percent. Emerson has 453 votes, while Nesbeitt netted 115.
“I’m stunned,” Emerson said. “I had no clue. I don’t think my opponent really campaigned. But Peter and Christy, all of us did so well. I think it really speaks to a desire for change on the city council.”
Emerson said she doesn’t believe it was a matter of policy, but of attitude. People want to be heard and treated with respect, she said. Case in point, she said she doesn’t believe the council will revisit the controversial sanctuary city topic anytime soon.
“I don’t see that happening,” Emerson said. “I think we have a really good resolution and we have a lot of other work we need to be doing.”
She cited the unapproved comprehensive plan update, zoning changes and a slew of road projects that need to be completed next year.
For position 5, Morton, a political newcomer, will unseat incumbent Thomas Gill. Morton has 426 votes — 74.74 percent — to Gill’s 144 — 25.26 percent.
When asked for his reaction to the results, Morton said, “I think it’s an obligation to serve, and to do so with care and respect for everyone concerned, including the incumbent. I don’t know what else to say about it. The reason the electorate elected the three of us is because they view us as Progressives and Langley is a Progressive city.”
He also had a message for voters.
“Thank you very much for trusting me with this responsibility, and I intend to discharge it with civility, integrity and respect,” he said.
That goes for the public, city staff and the city’s volunteer boards, he said.
Another contested race on South Whidbey is for position 5 on the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District’s Board of Commissioners. As of Thursday, incumbent Matt Simms led with 2,908 votes, or 75.03 percent. Challenger Bigi Giese is trailing with 968 votes and 24.97 percent of the vote.
Finally, Charlene Arnold is ahead of Stef Christensen in the race for Holmes Harbor Sewer District commissioner, position 3. Arnold has 125 votes to Christensen’s 69 votes.
The Island County Elections Office’s website reported 22,169 ballots from a total 54,727 registered voters had been counted as of 2:53 p.m. Thursday. The next batch of results will be released at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17.
Election results are certified on Nov. 28.
