By Bill Reynolds and Luisa Loi
Funny the difference four years can make.
In 2022, state Rep. Clyde Shavers was sent to Olympia by a mere 211 votes. Early returns on Tuesday night had him breathing much easier.
Initial tallies posted 30 minutes after polls closed Tuesday night showed Shavers, a Democrat, leading Republican challenger Robert “Chili” Hicks by comfortable margins in Skagit County and across State Legislative District 10.
Shavers led 19,745 votes (64%) to 11,099 (36%) for Hicks in the race for the Position 1 seat throughout the district, which is composed of Island County, southwestern Skagit County and northwestern Snohomish County. In Skagit County alone, Shavers held a 3,359 (66%) to 1,715 vote (34%) lead.
Shavers, a U.S. Naval Academy and Yale Law School graduate, campaigned on having championed legislation supporting military families, career and technology education initiatives, and renewable energy production. Shavers has also been a vocal advocate for affordable housing.
Hicks, a North Carolina native, retired in 2006 from the U.S. Navy as a master chief petty officer, a career that included training in steam propulsion engineering. A Stanwood City Council member, Hicks ran on a platform prioritizing public safety, parental rights, tax reduction and accountability in education.
In other election results, incumbent Democrat Alex Lathum led Republican Derrill Fussell 19,040 votes (64%) to 10,506 (36%) in the contest for Skagit County coroner; incumbent Democrat Jackie Brunson led GOP candidate Tim Garrison 19,473 (65%) to 10,263 (35%) in the race for Skagit County treasurer; and incumbent Skagit County Public Utility District Commissioner Andrew Miller was outpolling challenger Spencer Roozen by a 15,600 (58%) to 11,227 vote (42%) margin.
Lathum, who was appointed to the coroner’s post in September, has an extensive background in public health. He served as lead microbiologist, data consultant and management analyst for the Washington Public Health Laboratory.
Brunson, who has served as county treasurer since 2019, campaigned on having modernized the office and has cited her role as legislative chair for the Washington State Association of County Treasurers.
Garrison is a tax accountant and small business owner running as a Republican, but was not endorsed by the party.
Miller, a Skagit County native and U.S. Air Force veteran, has served on the PUD board since 2020, prioritizing water affordability, system reliability and ensuring water policies work for farms and families.
Roozen, a third generation Skagit County resident, based his campaign platform on ensuring reliable utility services, responsible stewardship of public resources and long-term planning.
Harrison-Smith leads in auditor race
In the race for Skagit County auditor, Democrat Jeremy Harrison-Smith is leading with 57%, or 16,606 votes.
Independent Mark Hulst, who received 12,719 votes (43%), said he was a little disappointed with the results.
“It just turned out the way it turned out,” he said.
Hulst was the chairman of the Skagit County Republican Party from 1996 to 2004. He also served on the Mount Vernon City Council for 12 years.
Harrison-Smith said he will transition out of his role as the Northwest Washington representative for the governor’s office and prepare to take office Jan. 1 with the help of incumbent Sandy Perkins. He has also volunteered with the Skagit County Democratic Party, where he is currently on the endorsement committee and in his second year as a precinct committee officer.
“I was a little bit surprised it was more than my primary total, and then we’ll see when the rest come in,” he said Tuesday night. “But I’m super happy with the first numbers coming in.”
Harrison-Smith previously expressed his concern over the future of democracy and the Trump Administration’s efforts to restrict mail-in voting. When asked to comment on the blue wins across the country, he said he felt optimistic.
“I think people stood up across the country, and stood up for democracy,” he said. “I think the statement that was made today was loud and clear, and we hope that we can just continue this momentum into policy and making sure we improve the country in ways that the majority want.”
Commissioner Burns poised to retain District 3 seat
Skagit County Commissioner Joe Burns, a Democrat who represents District 3, is winning against Republican Keith Wagoner.
As of Tuesday night, Burns earned 18,156 votes, or 60%, while Wagoner was at 11,823 votes, or 39%.
Burns celebrated the results with fellow Democrat Harrison-Smith at Vic’s Mexican Food & Bar in Sedro-Woolley. He was appointed to replace Lisa Janicki in January, and previously served on the Sedro-Woolley City Council.
“I really appreciate the faith that people gave me and that I get the chance to do this for four more years,” he said. “I know there’s a lot of ballots left to be counted, but I believe we’re gonna keep a pretty good margin here.”
As commissioner, his priorities will be getting the budget in line, making sure the county is providing services people expect, and trying to make the county a better place for the next generation.
“If there’s an issue or concern that I can help with, I want to talk to them about it,” he said.
Wagoner is a state senator representing the 39th legislative district. He did not return a request for comment.
Beaton leads by wide margin
Skagit County Clerk Melissa Beaton, a Democrat, was leading Independent Amanda Toscano 68% to 32%.
Beaton was first elected clerk in 2019. Her experience includes two decades of work at the Skagit County Superior Court, and previously serving as president of the Washington State Association of County Clerks. Toscano is a real estate agent who said she ran to give voters a choice in an otherwise uncontested race.
Seasoned deputy is likely winner in sheriff’s race
In the race for Skagit County Sheriff, Independent Chris Baldwin is dominating with 74% of the votes to Republican Cody Hart’s 25%.
Baldwin has worked in the sheriff’s department for 32 years and currently serves as the chief of field operations. Hart is a military veteran and self-described government watchdog running as a “constitutional sheriff,” a movement that believes a sheriff’s powers supersede those of any level of government when inside the county.
In recent years, the movement has promoted the claim that the 2020 election was stolen, and a number of sheriffs have refused to enforce COVID-19 mask mandates and gun laws.
Baldwin and Hart did not return requests for comment.
