In the general election, North Whidbey voters will have their choice between the Republican incumbent, Jill Johnson, and her Democratic challenger, Christina Elliott – in the race for Island County Commissioner, District 2.

As of Aug. 8, the race to represent Oak Harbor and North Whidbey for the county was close, though three candidates dropped to two.

Elliott received 1,991 votes, or about 37.5%, while Johnson earned 1,882, or 36.9%. Phil Collier, Johnson’s Republican challenger, fell short at 1,298 votes, or 25.5%.

“We are excited about the preliminary results,” Elliott wrote in an email. “Our campaign has worked hard to connect with voters across Oak Harbor, and we are excited to see the results in the coming days. I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported the campaign so far.”

Tuesday night, Elections Supervisor Michele Reagan, wearing a shirt reading “vote” in capital letters, checked her watch at each passing minute, waiting for the clock in the Island County elections office in Coupeville to strike 8 p.m.

Ballots filled the room; when the time came, Reagan pushed a single button. A horizontal bar on her screen turned green.

“And that’s it,” she said. The votes were in.

The most recent count shows 23,501 ballots counted, with an estimated 7,400 to go.

“The results and what they mean are exciting of course, but the process, not so much,” Reagan said.

An emergency medical services levy for the Whidbey Island Public Hospital District apparently has garnered enough votes to pass. It achieved 13,146 votes in its favor, about 70.4%.

In the race to represent Coupeville and South Whidbey as the Island County Commissioner for District 1, Democrat incumbent Melanie Bacon received 4,129 votes, or nearly 37%, while Democrat challenger Marie Shimada earned 3,414 votes in her favor, which is about 30.5%. The two Democrats edged out their Republican opponents; Steven Myres got 2,685 votes, or 24%, while Wanda Grone received 956 votes, or 8.5%.

Democrats also appeared to fare well in the 10th Legislative District races, with some exceptions.

Democrat Clyde Shavers maintained a strong lead in the race for State Representative, Pos. 1, with 20,315 votes statewide, or 52.3%. Republican Carrie Kennedy received 10,357 votes, or 26.7%, which will earn her a spot on the general election ballot. Republican Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam got the least votes with 8,102, or 20.9%.

As the only two candidates in the race for State Representative, Pos. 2, Democrat Dave Paul and Republican Gary Wray will both be advancing to Nov. 5. Paul got the most votes at 21,620, or 55.5%, while Wray earned 17,310 votes, or 44.4%.

Republican Ron Muzzall and Democrat Janet St. Clair were the top two vote-getters for state senator, with Muzzall at 19,013 votes, or 48.41%, and St. Clair with 17,769 votes in her favor, which is just over 45%. Democrat Denny Sandberg earned the fewest votes at 2,449, or 6.24%.

In the contest for District 2 U.S. Representative, Democrat Rick Larsen had a healthy lead over his seven challengers, with 86,996 votes, or 48.69%. MAGA Republican Cody Hart, who earned 35,554 votes, 19.9%, will join him on the general election ballot.

Election night always results in winners and losers, Reagan said.

“(There is) always going to be people happy with what the numbers say and always going to be people unhappy with what the numbers say,” she said. “That’s really none of my concern. My concern is to ensure the numbers are accurate.”

The next ballot count was scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday, which happened after the Whidbey News-Times went to press.