Democrats take county offices as national blue wave hits Whidbey

Democratic challengers are leading two incumbent county officials in the initial count of Tuesday night ballots, signaling a shift in local power that mirrors national trends. In the race for Island County auditor, Democrat Barbara Fuller holds a narrow edge over independent incumbent Sheilah Crider. The gap stands at 378 votes, with Fuller at 12,711 and Crider at 12,333 in the preliminary tallies.

Democrat Doug Stults leads incumbent Assessor Kelly Mauck in the other contested county race. Mauck, who lists no party preference, trails Stults by 3,471 votes. Stults has collected 14,283 votes while Mauck has 10,812. Both races reflect a broader pattern of Democratic strength across the state, where the party is winning control of the U.S. Senate and gaining House seats in traditionally Republican areas.

The tide is less uniform in other county contests. Sheriff Rick Felici, an independent, leads Democratic challenger Tavier Wasser by 1,031 votes. Felici has 13,216 votes to Wasser’s 12,185. Prosecutor Greg Banks, who lists no party preference, holds a wider lead over Democrat Andrew F. Scott. Banks has 14,501 votes compared to Scott’s 10,331.

In the race for Island County commissioner in District 3, Democrat Grant Shaw is well ahead of Republican Matthew Van Pelt. Shaw has 15,620 votes, or 61.3 percent, while Van Pelt has 9,873 votes, or 38.7 percent. Democrat Dierdre Butler also leads in the county clerk’s race, holding 15,563 votes against Republican Maria Hazelo’s 9,916.

Voters in unincorporated Island County are approving two property tax measures. The Port of South Whidbey’s Proposition 1, which would add 6 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to support facility renovations, is passing with 58.3 percent of the vote. The measure received 4,162 votes in favor and 2,976 against. Langley’s Proposition 1, for governmental services and technology, has 63.3 percent support with 382 votes in favor and 221 against.

A nonbinding advisory vote on consumer fireworks also passed in unincorporated areas. Sixty-four percent of voters support a ban, with 13,356 votes in favor and 7,433 opposed. The vote does not prohibit fireworks immediately but provides county commissioners with a measure of public sentiment. The results remain preliminary, with additional ballots to be counted in the coming days.

Democratic incumbents representing Island County in the state legislature also hold substantial leads. In the 10th Legislative District, Rep. Clyde Shavers leads Republican Robert Hicks by 8,426 votes on Position 1. Rep. Dave Paul leads Republican Tim Hazelo by 9,924 votes on Position 2. U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, leads Republican Edwin H. Feller in the 2nd Congressional District by 85,159 votes. The congressional district covers Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties.