Greg Thornton will be La Center’s next mayor, according to preliminary election results released Tuesday.
Thornton had 60.88 percent of the vote Tuesday, while his opponent, Al Luiz received 38.49 percent.
“I’m thrilled. It’s very exciting,” Thornton said. “I’m truly honored to have been elected mayor of La Center and humbly accept the responsibility.”
The two city councilors squared off for the office of Mayor Jim Irish, who is stepping aside after 12 years in the role.
“It’s going to be a big change,” Thornton said.
Thornton would have lost his council seat if he had lost the mayor’s race, as it was up for election this year. Luiz has two years left in his term.
“The voters have spoken, and I’m satisfied with the results,” Luiz said. “We now have to rally around our new mayor and see where he leads us.”
For much of the rest of Clark County’s small cities, incumbents won the night — though a couple of races were too close to call.
Washougal
A vacant seat on the Washougal City Council is set to be filled by Dan Coursey or Molly Coston.
After preliminary returns, Coursey led Coston by just 44 votes out of 1,679 counted.
“I’d say there’s a lot of votes to count,” Coursey said. “I’m just real happy for all the people who supported me during this and all the nice people I met while I was doorbelling.”
Coursey, a computer systems engineer with Daimler AG, was widely endorsed by the region’s Republican leaders.
Washougal’s other contested council seat appeared to be retained by Councilor Joyce Lindsay, endorsed by many left-leaning groups.
“I’m very pleased,” she said. “I want to thank everybody who supported me and helped.”
Lindsay was beating challenger Jason Dodge by 265 votes Tuesday night.
Battle Ground
Battle Ground City Councilor Philip Johnson fended off challenger Candy Bonneville for Battle Ground City Council Position 7.
“I think I told them four years ago I would be their Monday night watchman, and I promise to continue to be their Monday night watchman,” said Johnson, who was first elected to the city council in 2011. “The city looks good now and hopefully we can continue to do better.”
Johnson, who had 58.97 percent of the vote Tuesday, will serve as mayor on the council for the next two years after serving as deputy mayor for the past two.
Ridgefield
Ridgefield City Councilor David Taylor defeated challenger Maria Salazar to reach his third term.
Early returns had Taylor ahead with 66.22 percent of the vote to Salazar’s 33.78 percent.
Taylor did not return calls for comment.
Woodland
The city with the most contested council seats had a few upsets.
Woodland Mayor Grover Laseke, who is running for a council seat, looked headed for defeat by Karl Chapman.
“I’m pretty humble that the people of Woodland who I’ve talked to have put faith in me to represent them,” Chapman said.
The political newcomer was leading Laseke by 65 votes out of 421 counted.
The mayor, who will be replaced by an unopposed Will Finn, called and congratulated Chapman.
Councilor Susan Humbyrd was leading challenger John “JJ” Burke by 28 votes Tuesday night.
“I thought they would want fresh new eyes and am flattered they chose me,” said Humbyrd, who was running for her third term.
Councilor Mike Benjamin, who was appointed earlier this year after a resignation, fell to Matthew Jacobs in early returns.
“It sounds like a lot of the people voted because I have a family and the values I have that come along with that,” Jacobs said.
He led Benjamin by 74 votes Tuesday.
Camas
Camas City Councilor Timothy J. Hazen fought off challenger Shawn High to win his second term Tuesday night.
“I’m looking forward to serving the citizens of Camas for the next four years,” Hazen said.
The city councilor said he thought his experience and leadership brought him re-election.
High garnered just 20.60 percent of the vote.
Green Mountain School District
Of all the smaller school districts throughout the county, only Green Mountain had a contested school board seat.
Tuesday night, incumbent Wendy Arends was leading Cameron Tormanen 75 votes to 51.
