Region votes solidly Republican, almost

Election results last night for the state and the four local counties showed voters choosing candidates not from the extremes edges of the political spectrum but from something closer to the middle.

The race to watch from now to November is for the 4th Congressional District, held by Rep. Dan Newhouse, who will face Doug White, a Democratic challenger who thinks he can win.

Statewide, Newhouse was ahead by just 1,008 votes, leading with just 27.32% of the vote to White’s 25.98%.

Newhouse faced primary challenges from seven Republicans who thought his vote to impeach then-president Donald Trump would make him vulnerable. Loren Culp, of Republic, came the closest with 21.74 % of the vote statewide.

And in Okanogan County, Culp did beat Newhouse 28.79% to 23.19%. But both lost to White, who garnered 31.93% of the vote.

Voters there also went for Democrat incumbent Steve Hobbs for secretary of state over a field of seven other candidates, including three Republicans, 28.31% to 19.36% over Republican Bob Hagglund.

They also stayed with 7th Legislative District Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber, a Republican, over a Republican challenger, giving her nearly 75% of the vote.

Sheriff Tony Hawley will face Paul Budrow in November after a 42%-37% primary win. Kevin Newport got 20%.

For Commissioner from District 3, Lloyd Caton Jr was slightly ahead of Jon Neal 36%-35%.

Aaron Kester garnered 17%, and Kari Alexander 11% in the race.

Grant County is a more solid hue of red, where Culp squeezed by Newhouse 32.32% to 31.7% for the 4th District Congressional seat. White got just 17.1%.

Republican Michele Jaderlund took 75% of the vote for county auditor over former commissioner Richard Stevens, who ran as an independent and got 25%.

Republican Incumbent Melissa Mcknight defeated independent challenger James Liebrecht in a landslide with 81% of the vote for county auditor.

Clerk Kimberly Allen kept 64% of the vote away from two challengers. All are Republicans.

Commissioner Cindy Carter got 55% to Jeff Foster’s 24% and Dan DeLano’s 19% of the vote.

Joey Kriete will face Joe Harris in a race for Grant County sheriff. Kriete took 47% to Harris’ 29% and James Baker’s 23%.

In Lincoln County, Gabe Gants had 50% of the vote in the race for sheriff against Brian Telford (22%), Andy Manke (20%), Jeff Barden (6%) and Adam Johnson (3%). Emily Hansen had 67% of the vote in the treasurer race. And Commissioner Rob Coffman will keep his job with 58% of the vote. Jason Debond got 42%. All candidates for local office in the county were Republicans.

For U.S. Senate, Democrat Patty Murray took 54% of the vote statewide to run for her Senate seat in November against Republican Tiffany Smiley, who got 32% of the vote in a field of 18 candidates. But in all local counties, Smiley won by large margins.