Richard Fralick, a former county freeholder, will represent Orcas West on the San Juan County Council.
Fralick received 771 votes, Mindy Kayl received 654 Tuesday. Fralick will succeed Alan Lichter, who lost in the primary.
On San Juan Island, Howie Rosenfeld was reelected to the position representing Friday Harbor. Lovel Pratt was elected to the San Juan South position, succeeding Kevin Ranker, who is ahead in the state Senate race.
County Auditor Milene Henley posted initial local election results on Wednesday, Nov. 5, indicating – with a 72 percent voter turnout so far – a Democratic sweep in state-wide and Legislative district races.
In local races, incumbent County Council member Howie Rosenfeld defeated his opponent
Fay Chaffee in his bid for re-election to the Council position which represents the Town of Friday Harbor. In the two Council races in which no incumbent was a candidate, Richard Fralick won Orcas West and Lovel Pratt won San Juan South, over opponents Mindy Kayl and Gordy Petersen.
Current County Council member Kevin Ranker is defeating his Republic opponent Steve
Van Luven in his bid for the vacated State Senate for the 40th Legislative District. Ranker’s ultimate success in this race will depend on results in neighboring Whatcom and Skagit Counties.
Incumbent Governor Chris Gregoire holds a five percent edge over challenger Dino Rossi, with returns from King and Pierce counties still to be tabulated.
Nationally, the county voted 70 percent for Democratic Presidential and Vice-Presidential
candidates Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Both Eastsound Sewer and Water district propositions—one to increase the size of the
board and one to annex Orcas Village—passed handily.
On statewide initiatives, San Juan County voters voted against the transportation initiative,
for the “death with dignity” initiative, and for certification of long-term care providers.
For complete election results state-wide, go to the Secretary of State’s Elections website at
http://vote.wa.gov/elections/wei/
The 2009 County Council will be the first council comprised entirely of members elected under the county charter.
County Council members are elected by district, serve four-year terms and receive $34,000 a year plus benefits. The County Council is the legislative authority of the county, approves the annual county budget, is responsible for county property and funds, considers land-use appeals, provides for county infrastructure, roads and buildings, fixes the amount of county taxes according to law, and serves as the county franchising authority.
