The three-way race to represent Clark County’s Public Utilities District No. 1 is winnowing down to two after Tuesday’s primary vote.
Initial results put Sherry Erickson in the lead with 15,896 votes, or 59.14 percent. James Oneil is in second place with 6,405 votes (23.83 percent). And Chris Thobaben is trailing in third with 4,579 votes (17.03 percent).
The three candidates are running for a six-year term on the Clark Public Utilities Board of Commissioners, as Commissioner Jim Malinowski vacates his seat after two terms.
“I know there’s still a lot of votes out there,” Oneil said, praising his opponents. “We’ll have to see over the next couple of days what happens with the votes coming in from the mail.”
Erickson is an insider in the industry who works as a consultant for utilities and cities around the nation.
Her campaign focused on using her expertise to balance infrastructure development and operational costs with fiscal responsibility.
Thobaben previously worked as a supply chain consultant before becoming chief executive officer of Maren-go Solutions Corporation, which works to create automated systems for clients.
If elected, Thobaben plans to keep the utility’s rates affordable and its customer service award-winning, expand clean energy sources and consider adding community-owned broadband internet to Clark Public Utilities’ services.
Oneil is a lifelong Clark County resident who works in business development and customer service, including collaborating with cities and utilities. He said he wants to be both visible and approachable as a candidate.
Among his priorities are strengthening the electrical grid, burying overhead powerlines, maintaining reliable service at an affordable cost and providing customers incentives for reducing their electricity consumption.
Oneil feels like he’s in a good position to move forward.
“Hopefully we can move into the general (election) and … continue the journey,” Oneil said.
Oneil is leading the pack in donations with around $30,000 in cash contributions for this election. His donors include the Building Industry Association, the Washington Association of Realtors political action committee, local property tycoon Albert Angelo and a handful of labor unions.
As of election night, Erickson only reported around $1,300 in contributions and Thobaben reported none.
Editor’s Note: This article was corrected to accurately reflect the name of property manager Albert Angelo.
