Voters in Skagit County barely cracked a quarter turnout in the Aug. 5 primary, but their ballots set the course for November’s local races.
The Skagit County Auditor certified results Aug. 19, showing 23.9% turnout. Of the county’s 71,751 registered voters, only 17,150 cast ballots, a markedly low turnout. The data suggests that despite more residents being registered to vote in 2025, overall engagement decreased significantly.
The Port of Skagit, District 2 commissioner race drew more than 4,900 votes. Appointed incumbent Melanie Mankamyer secured 52.9%, enough to easily advance. She will face Keith Chaplin (24.2%) in November, while Edwin Stickle (22.7%) was narrowly edged out.
The Port of Anacortes, District 1 commissioner contest proved tighter. Mary LaFleur led with 40.6%, followed closely by Terry Carroll-Gillis at 39%. Michael McClintock finished third with 20.1% and will not move forward.
In Mount Vernon, the at-large city council race proved decisive. Demi Daman cruised ahead with 60.4% of the vote. Stefanie LeJeunesse (21%) and Consuelo Pineda (18.2%) split the remainder, with LeJeunesse advancing to November alongside Daman.
Other local races highlighted close margins and commanding wins. In Sedro-Woolley’s Ward 6 council race, Joe Burns took a majority with 53.1%, topping Karl de Jong (34.2%) and Kent Mocabee (12.4%).
The Sedro-Woolley School District 1 board race saw Jim Kallio collect a majority at 50.9%, ahead of Brent Schiefelbein (34.8%) and Cindy Wiedmann (13.8%).
A three-way contest in Hospital District 304, Position 5 ended in a razor-thin finish for the top two. Germaine Kornegay led with 36.6%, narrowly ahead of Ellen de Jong at 35.3%, while Robert Stanley pulled 27.8%.
With certification complete, candidates now pivot toward November’s general election, where turnout historically rises as more voters weigh in on local leadership.
Staci Baird is the managing editor of La Conner Community News.
