Clark County Sheriff’s Office Chief Criminal Deputy John Horch was leading Vancouver Police Department Cpl. Rey Reynolds in the race to become the next Clark County Sheriff in the first set of returns for Tuesday’s general election.
Horch had 59.62 percent of the vote as of Tuesday evening, while Reynolds had 40.38 percent.
The results came as Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez pulled to an early lead over Republican Joe Kent in the race to succeed Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler representing the 3rd Congressional District.
For the entire district, Perez was leading with 52.62 percent of the vote, while Kent had 46.8 percent. In Clark County voting, Perez had 58.82 percent of the vote, while Kent had 41.18 percent. In addition to Clark County, the district includes Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Skamania, Wahkiakum counties and a small sliver of southern Thurston County.
Votes tallied as of Tuesday night represented 36.37 percent of registered Clark County voters. The county had reported a turnout of 41.35 percent based on ballots returned through Monday. The county reported it had 80,000 more ballots on hand to count, with the next results released at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Legislative races
In the 17th Legislative District, which includes parts of Clark and Skamania counties, Republican Kevin Waters was leading Democrat Terri Niles for Position 1, 50.87 percent to 49.02 percent, and Republican Paul Harris was leading Democrat Joe Kear for Position 2, 52.52 percent to 47.37 percent.
In the 18th Legislative District, the boundaries of which were significantly changed in the latest redistricting, Democrat John Zingale was leading Republican Stephanie McClintock for Position 1, 50.73 percent to 49.27 percent, and Republican Greg Cheney was leading Democrat Duncan Camacho for Position 2, 51.60 percent to 48.40 percent.
In the 20th Legislative District, which now covers much of northern Clark County and the Ridgefield area, unopposed Republican incumbents Peter Abbarno and Ed Orcutt cruised to victory Tuesday.
In the 49th Legislative District, Democratic incumbent Sharon Wylie was defeating Republican Park Llafet for Position 1, 64.28 percent to 35.72 percent, and Democratic incumbent Monica Jurado Stonier was defeating Republican Jeremy Baker for Position 2, 63.32 percent to 36.68 percent.
County races
In the race for Clark County Auditor, which is now a nonpartisan race, incumbent Greg Kimsey was defeating Brett Simpson, 71.94 percent to 28.06 percent.
In the race for Clark County Council District 1, Glen Yung was leading Hector Hinojosa, 59.32 percent to 40.68 percent. In District 2, Michelle Belkot was leading Chartisha Roberts, 53.38 percent to 46.42 percent. In District 5, Sue Marshall was leading Don Benton, 56.85 percent to 43.15 percent.
In the race for the District 2 seat on the board of Clark Public Utilities, incumbent Nancy Barnes was defeating Don Steinke, 66.09 percent to 33.91 percent.
County measures
Voters were showing mixed views on the six proposed amendments to Clark County Home Rule Charter in the first round of returns.
Proposed Charter Amendment No. 10, concerning ranked choice voting for county elected positions, was failing, 57.87 percent to 42.13 percent.
Proposed Charter Amendment No. 11, concerning appointment of county manager, was passing, 65.65 percent to 34.35 percent.
Proposed Charter Amendment No. 12, adding a preamble to the Home Rule Charter, was passing, 50.85 percent to 49.15 percent.
Proposed Charter Amendment No. 13, regarding filling vacancies of county elected officials’ offices, was passing, 66.12 percent to 33.88 percent.
Proposed Charter Amendment No. 14, amending the initiative, mini initiative and referenda processes, was failing, 41.32 percent to 58.68 percent.
Proposed Charter Amendment No. 15, regarding a diversity and inclusion officer and advisory commission, was failing, 61.38 percent to 41.32 percent.
Full stories on these races and more election coverage will be posted later tonight and in the Wednesday print and E-edition of The Columbian.
