South Whidbey’s Helen Price Johnson made an impressive showing in her first countywide run at elective office, topping the four-way field for Island County Commissioner from District 1.

The Democrat and South Whidbey School Board member attracted 5,202 votes through Monday’s count. Her two Republican opponents, Phil Bakke and Reece Rose, combined for 3,854 votes.

The wild card is the fourth candidate, Curt Gordon, who ran with no party affiliation. He gave the favored Bakke more competition than he no doubt wanted. Through Monday, Bakke was ahead of Gordon by a mere 39 votes. There aren’t many votes left to count so Bakke is likely to maintain his lead. Assuming he does, the question in the general election will be, where will all those Gordon voters go in the general election?

A good guess is that the majority will go to Price Johnson. Gordon appeals to the independent thinkers, small business people and park and recreation enthusiasts in District 1, who also like Price Johnson. She will need all the extra support she can get to weather the Republican storm in November.

Not only will Bakke pick up the vast majority of the conservative Reece Roses supports, but he will also benefit by the expanded boundaries of the general election. Only District 1 voters from South Whidbey to San de Fuca could vote in the primary. In November, the whole county votes. The Republican behemoth called Oak Harbor will likely give a solid advantage to Bakke.

Price Johnson will have to increase her support in District 1 to have a chance against Bakke and hope to carry the generally more liberal Camana Island to offset his Oak Harbor advantage.

Phil Bakke vs. Helen Price Johnson promises to be one of the great political races in Island County history. If she wins, Democrats will control the three-member board of commissioners for the first time in modern history, and she will be the first woman to serve as a commissioner.

Both parties should be fired up for the race, as both have excellent candidates to support and important issues at stake. May the best person win.