It appears from the first count of ballots Tuesday night that the Republican momentum nationwide was felt in Island County.

Republican candidates lead in all but one of the contested local and legislative races affecting Island County.

The race for the new Island County commissioner, however, is too close to call.

Republican candidate Rick Hannold, North Whidbey, is leading Camano Island Democrat Karla Jacks by just 301 votes.

Hannold has 11,868 votes, or 51 percent, while Jacks has 11,567, or 49 percent.

Hannold said Tuesday night he expected a close race.

“It’s too early to get excited,” he said, noting he was behind in the first count of the primary race.

Hannold said he is grateful to his loyal volunteers, whom he said made up for a big disparity in spending between him and Jacks.

“It was really a shoe leather, grassroots campaign,” he said.

Jacks could not be reached for comment.

In the spirited race for county treasurer, Republican candidate Wanda Grone is ahead of former boss, incumbent Ana Maria Nunez, a Democrat.

Grone has 12,459 votes, or 54 percent, while Nunez has 10,507 votes, or 46 percent.

Grone said Tuesday that she’s crossing her fingers.

“I’m encouraged by the early vote count,” she said, “but I learned in the primary the person with the most votes isn’t necessarily the person who wins.”

Nunez offered a prepared statement: “During our nation’s worse recession, I was able to invest our scarce dollars to see gains and more importantly my office kept people faced with tax foreclosures in their homes. I hope the good citizens of Island County will continue to be as well served as I have served them.”

Island County Auditor Sheilah Crider, a Republican, is ahead with 12,368 votes, or 56 percent. Challenger Rebecca Wagner, an independent, garnered 9,553 votes, or 44 percent.

In state Legislative District 10, Rep. Norma Smith, R-Clinton, is far ahead of Libertarian challenger Michael Scott. Smith has 77 percent in the district while Scott has 23 percent.

Rep. Dave Hayes, R-Camano, is also leading his opponent, Skagit County Democrat Nick Petrish. Hayes has 59 percent of the vote and Petrish has 41 percent.

The one bright spot for Democrats is the race for the U.S. House seat. Rep. Rick Larsen, the Democratic incumbent, is ahead of Republican challenger B.J. Guillot. Larsen has 62 percent and Guillot has 38 percent.