Reynolds posts slim lead in county election returns

Whitman County Assessor Joe Reynolds posted a narrow lead over challenger Jim Hawkes Tuesday night in the first count of election returns. Reynolds, who is seeking a sixth term in office, has 2,755 votes, 52.4 percent, and Hawkes came in with 2,503 votes, 47.6 percent.

Hawkes, chief appraiser in the assessor’s office, believed during his entire campaign that Reynolds was going to retire after two more years in office. At a debate in Colfax, however, Reynolds reassured Hawkes that he is going to stay in office four more years, taking the wind out of Hawkes’ campaign.

Incumbent Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers easily defeated challenger Adam (Michael) Assenberg in the first round of results of the general election.

Myers has 4,820 votes for 82.32 percent, versus Assenberg’s 1,035 votes or 17.68 percent.

Assenberg, a medical marijuana practitioner in Colfax, vowed to challenge the incumbent sheriff after the county’s drug charges against him were dropped in the wake of voters’ approval of the state recreational marijuana measure.

Republican U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers defeated challenger Joe Pakootas for the House seat, with Rodgers getting 3,705 votes to Pakootas 2,699 for 42.14 percent.

Whitman County was the last county in the entire state to post election results. The county posted election results at almost 9:15 p.m., more than an hour after the 8 p.m. deadline.

Elections officials explained the lateness of posting results as a busy day, with phones ringing and other interruptions.

State Initiative 1351, which advocated smaller class sizes, was voted down in the county by 3,766 votes or 58.98 percent. Statewide, it was approved by 58.98 percent to 41.02 percent.

Results for Initiatives 591 and 594, which concerned gun control, were too close to call with county voters casting 48.64 percent for and 51.36 percent against 591 and 51.57 percent for and 48.43 percent against 594.

Farmington voters again turned down a levy request for street maintenance and a special tax for the current expense fund. Results show voters rejected both propositions, the first 39 votes to 19 votes and the second 42 votes to 17 votes.

Colton voters approved a levy of approximately $1.20 per $1,000 of assessed value to raise $30,000 for general operations, improvement of the town streets and the water/sewer systems with more than 70 percent approval from voters.

Endicott voters approved propositions to raise $20,000 for street work and maintenance, and $7,000 for city park maintenance.

Voters in Oakesdale also approved both propositions to raise $14,000 for fire protection and $36,000 for street work, street lights, street expenses and maintenance, with voter approval of 95 to 22 and 92 to 26.

Palouse voters approved two property tax propositions to raise $44,000 for street improvements and street oiling, and $28,000 for operation and maintenance of the swimming pool.

Voters in St. John approved two propositions, one for $70,000 for street improvements and maintenance, and the second for $80,000 for water and sewer upgrade and capital improvements, with voters approving 99 to 59 and 103 to 56.

Tekoa’s voters approved a property tax levy to collect $50,000 next year for operation and maintenance of the street department, 109 to 45.