While many races in the 2024 general election remain close as of Tuesday, leaders are emerging in the contests at the local and state levels.
Initial results from the 2024 general election showed, locally in the Nisqually Valley region, that Rachel Dreon led JW Foster, and Wayne Fournier led Rob Laymon for Thurston County commissioner in District No. 2 and District No. 4, respectively.
At the state level, Democrat Bob Ferguson maintains a healthy lead over opponent Dave Reichert in the governor race.
The Thurston County Auditor’s Office counted a total of 97,421 ballots on election night Tuesday, Nov. 5, with an estimated 35,000 ballots left to count. The next count will be released at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Thurston County had a 47% voter turnout as of 8:12 p.m. Tuesday, with 207,296 registered voters and 146,730 ballots received, according to information released by the Washington Secretary of State. Of the returned ballots, 130,540 had been accepted and 592 had been challenged.
Final results will be certified by the Washington Secretary of State on Nov. 26. Statewide results are accurate as of 8:59 p.m. Tuesday night, with Thurston County results accurate as of 8:12 p.m.
LOCAL RESULTS
Thurston County Commissioner - District No. 2
As of Tuesday, Democrat Rachel Dreon led opponent independent JW Foster 53.54%-45-96%, or 47,686-40,929 votes. Each of the two candidates sought to replace retiring Thurston County District No. 2 Commissioner Gary Edwards.
During an interview with the Nisqually Valley News in September, Dreon said her vision as Thurston County District No. 2 commissioner is to bring Thurston County residents closer together and to provide resources to everyone in need, regardless of age or social standing.
“The vision for the district is to create more community, to make sure that anyone needing help or needing services, anywhere from the age of 10 to the age of 90, are able to access services and access help when they need it,” Dreon said. “That’s the number one vision for me: How do we make sure that my father is able to get health services when he needs it, and how am I able to make sure my grandchildren are able to access a mental health counselor or able to get free lunches? Whatever someone needs, they should know where, how and who to call. Right now, that isn’t currently happening.
“The number one thing that I really think we have to focus on is how do we all play together, and how do we work toward really understanding what our neighbors need and how to really be there for them,” Dreon added.
Thurston County Commissioner - District No. 4
Democrat Wayne Fournier, current Thurston County District No. 4 commissioner, led challenger Rob Laymon, 62.61% (55,127 total votes) to 36.76% (32,369 total votes), respectively, on election night.
Fournier told the Nisqually Valley News during an interview in October that his “proven track record” should lead voters to consider him for re-election. Prior to Tuesday’s results, Fournier said it has been an “honor and a privilege” serving the County.
“I believe I’m the best candidate for Thurston County’s District 4 commissioner because I bring a strong background in community service. I have the required experience, a deep understanding of local issues, along with a commitment to transparency and accountability in government,” Fournier told the Nisqually Valley News on Monday, Oct. 21. “If re-elected, my areas of emphasis will continue to include enhancing public safety, promoting sustainable development and improving local infrastructure, while ensuring community engagement is involved in our decision-making processes.”
Thurston County Commissioner - District No. 2
JW Foster (I): 40,929 total votes, 45.96%
Rachel Dreon (D): 47,686 total votes, 53.54%
Thurston County Public Utility District Commissioner - District No. 1
Linda L. Oosterman: 52,807 total votes, 67.16%
Bruce D. Wilkinson Jr.: 24,992 total votes, 31.78%
Pierce County Sheriff
Keith Swank: 149,057 total votes, 51.46%
Patti Jackson: 139,589 total votes, 48.19%
STATE RESULTS
Washington state Representative - District 2, Position 2
Republican Matt Marshall and Republican John Snaza each sought election for the Washington state Representative Position No. 2 in District 2. Marshall led Snaza, 55.92% (24,843 votes) to 40.8% (18,128 total votes), respectively on Tuesday night.
Prior to the Nov. 5 General Election, Marshall told the Nisqually Valley News that it felt like natural timing to run for the state Legislature with former District 2, Position 2 Rep. JT Wilcox retiring at the end of his term. His points of emphasis, if results stand, include public safety, opposing any mega-airport in the region, housing and deregulation to help small businesses thrive.
“We have a lot of rural property crimes going on. We have a lot of increased violent crimes. Thurston County Sheriff’s Office seems like they’ve got victims of everything from violent crime to property crime…” Marshall told the Nisqually Valley News in an interview on Sept. 30. “We also need more housing in general to help with the homeless crisis, and right now, with how long permits are taking, it’s non-functionable for developers or for persons trying to build a house.”
Washington state Representative - District 20, Position 1
Peter Abbarno (R): 51,500 total votes, 87.42%
Melvin Kaleolani Apana (Culture Republican): 5,725 total votes, 9.72%
Washington state Governor
Dave Reichert (R): 1,129,854 total votes, 43.53%
Bob Ferguson (D): 1,460,746 total votes, 56.28%
Washington state Senator - District 2
Jim McCune (R): 32,323 total votes, 64.02%
Erasmo Ruiz Gonzalez (D): 18,114 total votes, 35.88%
Lieutenant Governor
Denny Heck (D): 1,448,994 total votes, 56.6%
Dan Matthews (R): 1,108,180 total votes, 43.29%
Secretary of State
Steve Hobbs (D): 1,519,809 total votes, 59.57%
Dale Whitaker (R): 1,029,220 total votes, 40.34%
Attorney General
Pete Serrano (R): 1,106,841 total votes, 43.66%
Nick Brown (D): 1,426,216 total votes, 56.26%
State Auditor
Pat McCarthy (D): 1,484,332 total votes, 58.57%
Matt Hawkins (R): 1,046,693 total votes, 41.3%
Commissioner of Public Lands
Jaime Herrera Beutler (R): 1,183,315 total votes, 46.79%
Dave Upthegrove (D): 1,340,111 total votes, 52.99%
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Chris Reykdal (Nonpartisan): 1,207,823 total votes, 53.51%
David Olson (Nonpartisan): 1,037,041 total votes, 45.94%
Initiative Measure No. 2066: 1,288,228 approve (51.22%), 1,227,068 oppose (48.78%)
Initiative Measure No. 2109: 937,050 approve (36.79%), 1,610,148 oppose (63.21%)
Initiative Measure No. 2117: 972,623 approve (38.31%), 1,566,065 oppose (61.69%)
Initiative Measure No. 2124: 1,119,728 approve (44.51%), 1,396,215 oppose (55.49%)
FEDERAL RESULTS
United States Senator
Maria Cantwell (D): 1,520,937 total votes, 59.94%
Dr. Raul Garcia (R): 1,010,653 total votes, 39.83%
United States Representative 3rd Congressional District
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D): 155,231 total votes, 51.78% (THURSTON COUNTY: 4,107 total votes, 38.79%)
Joe Kent (R): 143,433 total votes, 47.84% (THURSTON COUNTY: 6,450 total votes, 60.92%)
United States Representative District No. 10
Marilyn Strickland (D): 135,982 total votes, 58.39%
Don Hewett (R): 96,481 total votes, 41.43%
Nisqually Valley News reporters Dylan Reubenking and Jacob Dimond contributed to this story. Results for the 2024 General Election were sourced from the Washington Secretary of State at www.results.vote.wa.gov.
