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Ron Wesen is still in the lead for District 1 Skagit County with a total of 5,379 votes. Independent party candidate Rylee Fleury had 2,673 votes. The next ballot count will be released at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9.
Wesen prefers the GOP and currently serves as District 1 commissioner in his fourth term.
“I need to get my message out to the whole county,” Wesen said, in preparation for November’s general election.
Wesen describes this message as one that will strengthen natural resource industries, foster sensible spending of public dollars and sustain the county’s quality of life.
For first-time candidate such as Fleury, he said that he will “continue to campaign and fight” for the county’s residents. Following the primary, one of Fleury’s main goals is for the public to learn more about his background so that they can “embrace a fresh change.”
“It’s a worthy struggle, and I’m happy to do it,” Fleury said. “I truly believe people are ready for a change, but at the same time, it’s hard to get rid of what you already know.”
District 1 includes Anacortes and Fidalgo Island, Bayview, Bow, Edison and north to the Whatcom County line.
District 2 candidates Peter Browning, who has no stated party preference, and Richard Flint Brocksmith, who prefers the Democratic Party, are in a closer race, with Browning securing 3,059 votes ahead of Brocksmith’s 2,332 votes.
“It’s a good start,” Browning said, who first ran for county commissioner in 2020. “I really like talking to people. It’s addictive so I am heading into my favorite part of the campaign.”
After the Skagit County Auditor’s Office published their results, Brocksmith, another first-time candidate, said he feels “pretty good and very optimistic.”
“We are clearly working on issues important to Skagitonians and I’m looking forward to even more ideas and conversations in the next few months,” added Brocksmith.
District 2 includes the communities of Mount Vernon, Conway and south to the Snohomish County line.
In November, Skagit County voters will select one commissioner to serve for each district.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
Olivia Capriotti is a Dow Jones summer news intern, specializing in data journalism. Reach her at oliviacapriotti@cascadiadaily.com.
