UPDATED Aug. 19

Incumbent Jefferson County Commissioner John Austin has advanced from the tough District 3 primary and will face Republican challenger Jim Boyer in a countywide race.

Boyer won the Aug. 17 primary election in District 3 (Port Ludlow, Shine, Coyle, Quilcene, Brinnon, Discovery Bay, Gardiner) with 2,077 votes.

After election night returns, Austin had a 77-vote lead over Diane Johnson, also a Democrat but not endorsed by the local Democratic Party. Austin is seeking a second four-year term.

Austin now has a 147-vote advantage. Election results are still unofficial until certification is complete Sept. 1. Although each gained more votes after the Aug. 19 ballot count based on ballots that were properly postmarked on Aug. 17 or left in a ballot drop box that day, their election night percentages basically remained the same.

As of Thursday, Boyer won District 3 with 2,077 votes (47.27 percent), Austin is second with 1,230 votes (27.99 percent) and Johnson is third with 1,083 votes (24.65 percent). There were four write-in votes.

Washington State uses a top two primary system, meaning the top two vote getters in the primary regardless of party affiliation, advance to the countywide vote Nov. 2, 2010.

Auditor Donna Eldridge said Thursday that her office still has 85 ballots to duplicate (so the ballot-counting machine can read them properly) and another 35 ballots with challenged signatures. Letters have been mailed to those 35 people asking them to contact the Auditor's Office by Aug. 31 if their vote is to be counted prior to certification on Sept. 1.

Tuesday night, Austin felt comfortable with his 77-vote lead but Johnson was not ready to concede, based on the District 3 voters that could still arrive.

Washington State uses a top two primary system, meaning the top two vote getters in the primary regardless of party affiliation, advance to the countywide vote Nov. 2, 2010.

“I think the numbers right now clearly show the people of the third district have a deep concern for their future,” Jim Boyer said Tuesday evening. “I hope the voters in District 1 and 2 are receptive to the message that is delivered in this vote, and I hope I can move now into those districts and earn their support.

"I have had some strong values and strong ideas that got me into this race, but it’s been going door to door and listening to people that has developed the recipe, or formula if you will for this campaign – regulations, the economy, water for farmers and shorelines, these are big concerns," Boyer continued. "I would say up to this point its been so gratifying to meet and talk with so many people – that’s the plus I didn’t expect.”

Incumbent John Austin said he was prepared to campaign against Boyer in the general election and was not surprised by the anti-incumbent sentiment demonstrated by the primary election results.

“It’s going to be an interesting race as you can well tell,” Austin said. “I think there has been a lot of fear in this election about the SMP [Shoreline Master Program] and the economy, at times like that, it’s tempting to want to clear the slate.

“What I’m feeling right now is I’d like to thank the voters in District 3 that have advanced me to the general election. I certainly wish Diane success in her professional career, and I invite her to join me in supporting the other Democratic candidates in the general election. I hope to engage Mr. Boyer in an honest and civil campaign that informs the voters of Jefferson County.

"For an off year, I think there has been a lot of interest in this campaign, and I hope the results of the primary will energize the electorate to get involved," Austin continued. "I certainly have my work cut out for me in this coming campaign.”

Although Johnson acknowledged her third-place finish in the preliminary count, she was not yet ready to concede defeat Tuesday night.

“I’m fine, except I’m third,” Johnson said, after listening to Auditor Donna Eldridge rattle off the numbers to a group of spectators clusters inside her office in the courthouse.

“If it remains this way following the certification of the election, I will basically be campaigning for Jim,” Johnson said. “If things change, I’ll be working my tail off to beat him.

“It’s been a great campaign,” she added. “I learned a lot. I feel really good about what I did and I’m happy with what I accomplished. I’m not going anywhere. Is it Arnold, the Terminator, who said, ‘I’ll be back.”

In the last 12 years, Republican candidates for county commissioner have not fared well in the heavily Democratic leaning District 1 (City of Port Townsend). This primary gave District 3 voters a chance to put two candidates of their choosing on the countywide vote, although Port Townsend simply has the volume of voters necessary to turn the election. Whether Boyer can unseat Austin (unless Johnson catches up to Austin in the primary with the ballots still uncounted) will be seen over the next few months.

Jefferson County

For Jefferson County Prosecutor, Scott Rosekrans has 6,235 votes (60.93 percent) and Paul Richmond has 3,955 votes (38.65 percent). Both advance to the November election for the position being vacated by Juelie Dalzell.

The incumbent, sheriff, assessor, treasurer, auditor and court clerk are unopposed on the ballot. The top vote getter: Sheriff Tony Hernandez with 8,721.