Burnett pulls ahead as late ballots tighten 12th District race

CHELAN COUNTY — Late-counted ballots have flipped the closest race on North Central Washington's ballot, the 12th Legislative District's Position 1 House seat, while challengers held their leads in four Chelan County races and the Wenatchee School District's $275 million high school bond remained short of the supermajority it needs.

State Rep. Brian Burnett, R-Wenatchee, moved ahead of Democrat Stacy Willoughby of Chelan in the race for House Position 1 and led by 96 votes across the 12th Legislative District, according to districtwide results updated by the Washington Secretary of State's Office at 5:16 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. Burnett had 33,638 votes (50.03%) to Willoughby's 33,542 (49.89%).

Willoughby led the district by 1,455 votes on election night and by 1,010 after Wednesday's count. Burnett led by 110 votes in Friday afternoon's update before the margin narrowed to 96 Friday evening.

If the margin stays under 150 votes and under a quarter of a percentage point when the results are certified, state law requires a hand recount.

The results are unofficial. Chelan County Elections will keep counting ballots in the coming days, including mailed ballots postmarked by Election Day, and totals can change. The county is scheduled to certify the election Nov. 24.

Countywide, 35,631 ballots had been counted as of the county's 5:08 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6 update, a turnout of 64.6% of the county's 55,184 registered voters. All Chelan County figures in this story are from that count.

The Legislature The 12th District includes all of Chelan County and parts of King and Snohomish counties. Willoughby's districtwide lead shrank from 1,455 votes election night to 1,010 after Wednesday's count before Burnett overtook her Friday. About 68,700 ballots had been counted districtwide as of Friday evening.

Burnett has run strongest in Chelan County, where he had 53.42% of the vote. As of Wednesday's count, Willoughby ran well ahead in the King County portion of the district, while the Snohomish County portion was close.

Burnett predicted the shift on election night.

"Lots of ballots left to count," Burnett said by phone Tuesday night. "Later results always favor conservatives, so we're still holding out hope."

Burnett, a former Chelan County sheriff, was first elected to the House in 2024 and is seeking a second term. Willoughby, a commercial lender making her first run for office, has served as board president of Chelan Valley Hope and on the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce board.

"I'm blown away by the support here tonight," Willoughby said Tuesday at an election night party at Epoch on Wenatchee Avenue. "I think it's indicative of the support across the district. The people want something different, and I think I can help with that. I want to help with that."

In the district's other House race, state Rep. Mike Steele, R-Chelan, led Snoqualmie Democrat Maggie Adams for Position 2 by 7,606 votes districtwide, 37,248 (55.62%) to 29,642 (44.26%). His districtwide lead has grown with each count, up from 4,298 votes on election night, 5,314 after Wednesday's count and 7,114 Friday afternoon. Steele carried 62.29% of the Chelan County vote; as of Wednesday, Adams led in the King County portion of the district.

"I'm pleased with the initial results, and it looks like the people are going to return me to the legislature for another term," Steele said Tuesday night. "I look forward to continuing to serve the people of one of the largest districts in the state."

Steele, first elected in 2016, is seeking a sixth term and is the ranking Republican on the House Capital Budget Committee. Adams is a union representative.

Congress U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Wash., held a comfortable lead over Republican challenger Spencer Meline, a Leavenworth small-business owner, across the 8th Congressional District. Schrier had 174,418 votes (56.19%) to Meline's 135,228 (43.56%), a lead of 39,190 votes with about 316,700 ballots counted districtwide, according to the Secretary of State's Office.

The district crosses the Cascades and includes Chelan and Kittitas counties and parts of King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Meline ran closer in his home county, where Schrier had 51.57% of the Chelan County vote to Meline's 48.24%.

Schrier, who has represented the district since January 2019, has campaigned on health care, agriculture, grocery and energy costs and money for regional infrastructure. Meline, in his first run for public office, has emphasized relief for small businesses, fiscal conservatism, active forest management to reduce wildfire risk and stricter border enforcement.

County Commissioner The closest county race remained the District 2 seat on the Chelan County Board of Commissioners, decided countywide in the general election. Commissioner Shon Smith had 17,715 votes (51.18%) to Leavenworth City Councilman Clint Strand's 16,857 (48.70%), a margin of 858 votes.

Smith's lead grew from 368 votes election night to 634 Wednesday and 1,025 Thursday before Friday's count trimmed it to 858. In the Aug. 4 primary, which was limited to District 2 voters, the two were separated by 120 votes after certification.

"I've been in this position before and I'm hopeful that I will be re-elected. It's too soon to say who the voters have chosen, but I will always respect their decision, no matter the outcome," Smith said Tuesday.

"First, I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to advocate for balance, smart budgets, and a county that works for everyone," Strand said Tuesday. "The race is too close to call and we'll have a better idea of where we stand after tomorrow's updated vote count."

Smith, a business owner, was elected to the board in 2022 and became chair in 2025. Strand is a Leavenworth City Council member and executive director of the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation.

Sheriff Sheriff Mike Morrison held a commanding lead over Deputy Stan Langlow, 25,180 votes (77.82%) to 6,916 (21.37%). Langlow conceded after the first results were posted Tuesday night.

"While it was not the result we were looking for, I am extremely thankful for those that supported this campaign. Congratulations to Sheriff Morrison on his re-election. I look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of Chelan County," Langlow said.

In a statement Wednesday, Morrison said he was humbled by the support.

"The past seven months have been an incredible journey. My appreciation goes to our community, my campaign team, supporters, and the dedicated men and women of the Chelan County Sheriff's Office who continue to serve with professionalism and pride," Morrison said. "Regardless of how you voted, my commitment remains unchanged: to serve every citizen with integrity, humility, and dedication."

Morrison began his career with the Omak Police Department in 2006, joined the Sheriff's Office in 2014 and was elected sheriff in 2022. Langlow, a patrol deputy, has 10 years as a commissioned law enforcement officer.

Challengers lead for assessor, auditor, clerk Challengers led three incumbents in county offices.

For assessor, Britini Port, an independent real estate broker and accredited appraiser, had 18,098 votes (53.86%) to Assessor Wes Cornelius' 15,457 (46%), a margin of 2,641. Cornelius, a Republican, was appointed assessor in 2023 after serving as chief deputy and is seeking a full term.

"I'm excited and hopeful for the best," Port said Tuesday while watching results in downtown Wenatchee. Cornelius was unavailable for comment election night.

For auditor, Brian Brett, a certified public accountant and retired Wenatchee Valley fire chief, had 20,369 votes (66.96%) to appointed Auditor Brandt Cappell's 9,663 (31.77%), a margin of 10,706. Both are Republicans. Cappell is the former chief deputy auditor. The winner fills the rest of the current term and a full four-year term.

For clerk, Sandra Arechiga had 18,109 votes (53.34%) to Clerk Marty Young's 15,775 (46.47%), a margin of 2,334. Arechiga has worked in the Clerk's Office for 12 years, including six as jury administrator, and is a family law court facilitator. Young was elected in 2022.

"I believe in putting people at the center of our work, strengthening communication, and making the Clerk's Office more accessible and responsive to the needs of our community. I am hopeful for the opportunity to serve the residents of Chelan County as their next County Clerk," Arechiga said in a statement Tuesday. Young did not respond to a request for comment.

Treasurer In the race for the open treasurer's seat, wealth adviser Rick Viall had 17,900 votes (52.99%) to Wenatchee City Councilman Doug Miller's 15,846 (46.91%), a margin of 2,054. Treasurer David Griffiths is retiring.

"The role of custodian of public funds carries tremendous responsibility, and if the results hold, I would be humbled by the opportunity to serve our community," Viall said Tuesday. He praised Miller's public service, saying, "If the results ultimately favor Doug, Chelan County would be well served by him."

"I appreciate everything the voters shared about their public finances as the campaign unfolded," said Miller, a 50-year valley resident who has served on the Wenatchee School Board, the Wenatchee City Council and as a county fire commissioner.

Viall is a past president of the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation.

PUD For the open Chelan County PUD District 1 commission seat, attorney Colleen Frei had 17,154 votes (56.29%) to Malaga orchardist Aaron Young's 13,266 (43.54%), a margin of 3,888. Commissioner Garry Arseneault did not seek reelection.

Measures The Wenatchee School District's Proposition 1, a $275 million bond to build a new Wenatchee High School on the existing campus and replace heating and cooling systems at seven schools, had 58.36% approval, 10,520 yes votes to 7,505 no. School bonds need 60% to pass. At Friday's count, the measure was about 295 yes votes short of that mark.

In Cashmere, a property tax levy lid lift for public safety and city services was failing, 781 votes (62.58%) to 467 (37.42%). It needs a simple majority.

Unopposed Five officials faced only write-in votes: Coroner Earl J. Crowe, Prosecuting Attorney Robert Sealby, District Court Judges Jon Volyn (Position 1) and Allen Blackmon (Position 2) and Chelan PUD Commissioner Kelly Allen (District B).

At a glance Unofficial. Chelan County: 5:08 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. Districtwide: 5:16 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. * = incumbent

U.S. House, 8th District Districtwide: Kim Schrier* (D) 56.2% | Spencer Meline (R) 43.6% Chelan County: Schrier 51.6% | Meline 48.2% State House, 12th District, Pos. 1 Districtwide: Brian Burnett* (R) 50.03% | Stacy Willoughby (D) 49.89% Chelan County: Burnett 53.4% | Willoughby 46.5% State House, 12th District, Pos. 2 Districtwide: Mike Steele* (R) 55.6% | Maggie Adams (D) 44.3% Chelan County: Steele 62.3% | Adams 37.6% County Commissioner, Dist. 2 : Shon Smith* 51.2% | Clint Strand 48.7% Assessor : Britini Port 53.9% | Wes Cornelius* 46.0% Auditor : Brian Brett 67.0% | Brandt Cappell* 31.8% Clerk : Sandra Arechiga 53.3% | Marty Young* 46.5% Sheriff : Mike Morrison* 77.8% | Stan Langlow 21.4% Treasurer (open) : Rick Viall 53.0% | Doug Miller 46.9% PUD Commissioner, Dist. 1 (open) : Colleen Frei 56.3% | Aaron Young 43.5% Wenatchee SD Prop. 1 ($275M bond, needs 60%) : Yes 58.4% | No 41.6% Cashmere Prop. 1 (levy lid lift, needs 50%) : Yes 37.4% | No 62.6% Unopposed : Coroner Earl J. Crowe; Prosecutor Robert Sealby; District Court Judges Jon Volyn (Pos. 1), Allen Blackmon (Pos. 2); PUD Commissioner Kelly Allen (Dist. B) Turnout : 35,631 ballots, 64.6% of 55,184 registered voters. Certification: Nov. 24. Taylor Caldwell: taylor@ward.media. Andrew Simpson: andrew@ward.media. Quinn Propst contributed.

Burnett pulls ahead as late ballots tighten 12th District race

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