With another ballot count this week, Island County commissioner candidate Rick Hannold slightly increased his narrow lead.

The North Whidbey Republican said Thursday that he’s confident it’s “mathematically impossible” for him to lose. A recount is required, but he said he’s not worried.

Hannold said he’s excited to get started, though his swearing-in will be a little delayed because of the recount.

Hannold said he said he hasn’t heard from his challenger, Camano Island Democrat Karla Jacks. She could not be reached for comment.

The vote counting has been a bit of a roller coaster ride for the two candidates, though Hannold has always maintained a lead.

With a count on Thursday, Hannold currently has 14,828 votes and Jacks has 14,789. That’s a difference of 139 votes.

Hannold was ahead by 301 votes on election night and increased his lead to 416 votes in the next day’s count.

Jacks closed the gap to 134 votes in the next count as ballots from Camano Island made their way to the elections office.

Michele Reagan, elections supervisor at the county’s Auditor’s Office, sent out a notice Thursday explaining that 111 ballots with postmarks of Nov. 4 or before were received since the last count; in addition, 13 ballot signature issues were resolved.

In total, the office had 160 uncounted ballots with signature issues on election night.