Incumbent Thurston County District 5 Commissioner Emily Clouse held a strong lead over challenger Nic Dunning on election night.
Clouse, a “pro-Democracy” Democrat seeking her second term on the Thurston County Board of Commissioners, held 53.34% of the initial ballot count released 8:22 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3, representing 31,898 votes.
Dunning, a business owner, former Lacey City Council member and self-proclaimed “moderate Democrat,” trailed with 44.99% of the vote, representing 26,909 votes, in the election night tally.
Dunning, also known as Nicolas Martinez Dunning, was the frontrunner in the August primary with 38.36% of the vote, representing 5,662 votes.
Clouse came in second with 34.68%, representing 5,119 votes.
While the primary was only open to voters within District 5, the general election was open to all eligible voters within Thurston County.
Clouse had two challengers file against her in this race, with Democrat and North Thurston Public Schools Board Member Michelle Gibson being eliminated in the August primary.
She earned 25.22% of the August primary vote, representing 3,722 votes.
Both Gibson and Dunning have said that a scandal between Clouse and her former aide in 2024 was their primary motivation for running against Clouse.
That scandal resulted in a lawsuit that was ultimately settled for $300,000, and a recall petition that was dismissed by a lower court in January 2025 and upheld by the state Supreme Court in February 2026.
Clouse has been working hard on the campaign trail to solidify her constituents’ trust in her and regain any she lost due to the 2024 incident.
She reported that she knocked on more than 6,000 doors canvassing ahead of the general election.
Clouse’s campaign could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday night.
Dunning resigned from the Lacey City Council in August to focus on his bid for the Thurston County Board of Commissioners.
Dunning presented himself as a “common sense candidate,” with his campaign focused largely on criticizing Clouse’s actions on the Thurston County Board of Commissioners.
In a social media statement on Nov. 1, Dunning wrote, “Winning is not everything. If my opponent wins, I’ll congratulate them and wish them the best. Praying for the downfall of any elected official is also praying for the downfall of your own community, and that’s not who I am.”
Dunning’s campaign could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday night.
