Lovelett wins senate seat; other primary results

San Juan County voters were in line with the rest of the state in overwhelmingly supporting State Sen. Liz Lovelett, D-Anacortes in the special state senate primary election for Washington’s 40th Legislative District. The election was held to fill the seat opened up by Kevin Ranker, who resigned last January.

In San Juan County, Lovelett received 55 percent of the votes while Daniel Miller received 26 percent. Carrie Blackwood had 17 percent, Greta Aitken 1 percent and write-ins garnered .5 percent. Statewide, Lovelett received 48 percent of the vote.

An unprecedented four of the five four-year terms on the Port of Orcas Commission are up for grabs this year. Steve Hopkins’ term as Port Commissioner 4 doesn’t expire for another two years, and he is uncontested in the Nov. 5 election.

The Aug. 6 primary had three candidates listed for commissioner 1 but Heidi LaPuzza left the race so remaining contenders Clyde Duke (55 percent of the primary vote) and Pierette Guimond (33 percent) will face off in November’s general election.

The other port candidates are commissioner 2: Poke Haffner and Michael Triplett; commissioner 3: Gary Abood and Bea vonTobel; commissioner 5: Greg Ayers and Mia Kartinger.