Adams County voters cast ballots for Trump - Local county commissioners races remain close

Tuesday evening brought a stream of preliminary election results for voters across the nation with the announcement of Donald Trump as the next United States President. The voters of Adams County heavily favored the Republican candidate with 67.15 percent of voters casting a ballot for Trump.

Locally, the Adams County Commissioner District 2 position remains too close to call. Incumbent Roger Hartwig had a slight advantage after the initial ballot count on Nov. 8, acquiring 52.34 percent of votes. Opponent Kenneth Johnson received 1,293 votes for 46.51 percent of votes.

In the Adams County Commissioner District 1 position, John Marshall retains his seat with 1,771 cast in his favor and 1,149 votes for write-in candidate John Hunt.

For the Benge School District, the levy is passing unanimously with 18 recorded votes. The Lind Cemetery District No. 3 also has their maintenance and operation levy passing with 150 votes in favor for 61.22 percent of total votes.

In contested races, State Representative Mary Dye easily won Adams County with 2,333 votes in support. As a Legislative District 9 race, Dye also won the popular vote throughout the district, accumulating 67.31 percent of votes during the initial count.

On statewide initiatives, Adams County voters seemed to cast votes heavily favoring one side of the measure.

On Initiative Measure No. 1433, concerning labor standards, Adams County voters rejected the measure with 60.39 percent against the initiative. Statewide, the measure is passing with a decisive 59.54 percent of voters in favor.

Initiative Measure No. 1433 regarded an increase to the state minimum wage, with the amount raising to $11 in 2017, and gradually raising until it reaches $13.50 in 2020.

Adams County voters also voted to reject Initiative Measure 1464, concerning campaign finance laws and lobbyists. In Adams County, the vote against the measure was 66.01 percent of total votes, and the initiative is currently failing at the state level as well.

Adams County residents voted initiative Measure No. 1491 favorable, with 55.37 percent supporting the measure. The initiative concerns court-issued extreme risk protection orders temporarily preventing access to firearms.

For Initiative Measure No. 1501, Adams County voters returned ballots with 73.06 percent in favor of the measure. The initiative concerns the protection of seniors and vulnerable individuals.

Concerning the creation of carbon emission tax on certain fossil fuels with Initiative Measure No. 732, Adams County voters cast 73.47 percent of votes rejecting the measure. With Initiative Measure No. 735, concerning a proposed amendment to the federal constitution, local voters remained divided with 52.88 percent voting against the change.

On the two Advisory Votes on the state ballot, Adams County voters repealed both bills.

On House Bill 2768, votes repealed the bill with 81.83 votes against. For the Advisory Vote No. 15 Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2778, local voters also repealed the bill with 78.39 percent against.

Adams County voters approved Senate Joint Resolution No. 8210, concerning the deadline for completing state legislative and congressional redistricting, with 66.74 percent in favor.

For U.S. Senator, 61.42 percent of voters cast a ballot of Chris Vance over Patty Murray. The statewide elections announced Murray had won Washington.

Incumbent Dan Newhouse received 54.58 percent of votes for the U.S. Representative Congressional District 4 position. In district results, Newhouse has received the advantage to continue for another term.

The Washington State Governor race fell heavily in favor of Bill Bryant in the local area, with the Republican candidate received 68.58 percent of votes. Jay Inslee will continue as the Washington State Governor, as statewide elections announced him as the winner.

In the Washington State Lieutenant Governor position, Adams County voters supported Marty McClendon. Statewide results have his opponent Cyrus Habib in the lead.

Washington State Secretary of State will continue to be Kim Wyman, as she received 76.86 percent of votes in Adams County and 53.16 percent of votes statewide.

Duane Davidson received 60.16 percent of votes in Adams County for the role of Washington State Treasurer. Statewide results announced he has been elected to the position after the preliminary results.

In the Washington State Auditor position, Mark Miloscia received 69.36 percent of votes in Adams County. Statewide, voters sided with his opponent Pat McCarthy, who received 54 percent of votes in the state.

Bob Ferguson will assume the role of Washington State Attorney General after receiving the popular vote not only in Adams County, but also statewide.

In the Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands position, Hilary Franz will serve in the role. Adams County voters cast their ballots in favor of Steve McLaughlin for the position, who received 73.85 percent of votes locally.

Throughout the state, voters were split in regards to the candidates for the position of Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Chris Reykdal currently leads the election with 51 percent of votes over Erin Jones.

Adams County voters cast ballots in favor of Richard Schrock for the position of Washington State Insurance Commissioner, totaling 67.37 percent of local votes. His opponent Mike Kreidler won the statewide election, receiving 60 percent of votes.

In uncontested legislative races, Mark Schoesler will continue to serve as Legislative District 9 State Senator and Joe Schmick continues his role as Legislative District 9 State Representative.

Dale Wagner will serve as the Adams County Sheriff for the upcoming term, and Steve Dixon will continue his role as Adams County Superior Court Judge.

There were an estimated 1,100 ballots left to count after the preliminary results on Tuesday night, and the voter turnout in Adams County currently registers at 48.57 percent after the first count. The certification date for the election is Nov. 29.

A complete list of local and statewide results can be found by visiting the Elections page on the Adams County website: http://co.adams.wa.us.