Clouse, Eason leading in early results for Thurston County Commissioner races
Early results showed Emily Clouse and Vivian Eason leading in the two primary races for Thurston County Commissioner.
Emily Clouse, a Democrat, was leading Terry S. Ballard, who registered as an independent, in the race for Position 5, according to results released by the county Auditor Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, voters were leaning in favor of electing of Eason, an independent, to Position 4 over Tenino Mayor Wayne Fournier.
These two positions were created last year after Thurston County voters approved a measure to expand the Board of County Commissioners from three to five members. The board moved to add two members once the county population surpassed 300,000.
The top-two vote-getters in each race will advance to the Nov. 7 general election. The final winners will join Commissioners Carolina Mejia, Tye Menser and Gary Edwards on the board next year.
The latest update from the county Auditor’s Office indicated voter turnout was at about 20.8% of 191,908 registered voters. However, there were still many votes left to be counted. Ballots needed only to be dropped off or postmarked as of Aug. 1.
“Typically, 51% of our ballots come in election day and after,” Auditor Mary Hall said. “So we’ve counted some of those, but we still have quite a bit to count. I’m cautiously optimistic that we could hit 30%. turnout.”
In 2021, the most recent odd-number election year, turnout reached 31.9%, according to final certified results.
Thurston County will post updated results daily until the county certifies the results on Aug. 15. The Washington Secretary of State will then certify the results by Aug. 18.
District 5
The primary election tally for Thurston County Commissioner District 5 showed Clouse with 3,206 votes as of Tuesday night. She was followed by Ballard who had 1,645 votes. If the trends continue, those two will face off in the Nov. 7 election.
Clouse said she felt thankful to have such a large lead in early returns. She said she’s excited to “fight the status quo” through November.
“I feel really honored to be the voice for younger, more progressive candidates like myself, who might want to run in the future,” Clouse said.
Clouse, a veteran with a human services background, has pledged to focus on the county’s affordable housing crisis, protecting the environment, law enforcement accountability and more.
Ballard is a veteran who frequently comments at county board meetings. He’s advocated for veterans, criticized the county’s facility planning and called for a tough approach to crime and homelessness.
With turnout so low so far, Ballard said its still uncertain how the results will shake out.
“I’ve been campaigning, doing my best and I wish everybody good luck,” Ballard said.
Michael Steadman, a Democrat and current Lacey City Council member, had 1,476 votes as of Tuesday night. Meanwhile, Morris, an independent, had 1,028 votes.
Steadman told The Olympian he “trusted the process” and believed he could surpass Ballard in the weeks to come.
“I just want to thank everyone for supporting me,” Steadman said. “When I make up the 2% in the primary and when I’m successful in the general, then we’ll get back to work and improve everybody’s quality of life.”
Morris did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday night. In a Wednesday statement, she said she felt discouraged by the low turnout.
“My initial response would be that if people want change, they have to show up and vote,” Morris said. “Twenty-one percent voter turnout is heartbreaking. With turnouts like that we will continue to see the well-oiled political machine win in our elections.”
District 5 encompasses an area south of Lacey and extends between Olympia and Lacey towards Johnson Point.
District 4
In the District 4 race, Eason led with 4,721 votes as of Tuesday night. Fournier, a Democrat, had 3,447 votes.
When reached for comment, Eason said she appreciates everyone who helped her get this far and looks forward to the general election.
“There’s a lot of work I want to get done in Thurston County,” Eason said. “It’s only a year position, so it’s a tough one.”
Eason is a veteran who previously worked for Thurston County Emergency Management and the Sheriff’s Office, according to her website. She has focused on public safety concerns as well as easing taxes and other costs for families and retirees.
In 2022, she ran for county commissioner Position 3 as a Republican, but was defeated by Menser. She told The Olympian that being an independent is closer to her true self.
Fournier said he expected to fall behind Eason in the primary race after analyzing data from his district. Still, he said he felt confident he could win in the general election.
“We’re going to get out there and knock on doors, march through the streets and really tell our story,” Fournier said. “I’ve got a solid track record to campaign on.”
Fournier has been Mayor of Tenino since 2016. If elected, he said he’ll improve public safety, promote sustainable economic growth and support environmental and public health protections, according to his statement in the voter guide.
District 4 covers southwest Thurston County including south Tumwater and the cities of Tenino, Bucoda and Rainier. Since only two candidates ran, both will move on to the general election regardless of the outcome in the primary.
Vasavada leads all port candidates in total votes after Tuesday ballot count
All six fire ballot measures on track to pass in Tuesday’s primary
