'Almost impossible' to catch up, auditor says

EPHRATA - Grant County PUD Commissioner Randy Allred was leading in the race for his seat by 978 votes against consultant Don Long, according to preliminary election results.

Allred, the incumbent district 3 commissioner, received 10,533 votes, or 52.18 percent. Long received 9,555 votes, or 47.34 percent.

Grant County Auditor Bill Varney said on Tuesday night Allred probably won the race, as it would be "almost impossible" for Long to make up the 978-vote lead.

Varney estimates between 5,000 to 6,000 ballots will come in this week.

Even so, the percentage of votes cast for each candidate will be the same, he explained.

He termed the mail-in ballots as a "homogenous group" coming in from all sections of the county, as opposed to ballots retrieved from polling places.

Local races are certified Nov. 26.

While home with his grandchildren, Allred called the results "encouraging," but said the election is still not done.

He thanked all of this supporters for their help and support, especially over the past two weeks leading up to the election. Family and friends also helped him in many ways, Allred added.

Allred called the two to three weeks before the election "an uphill battle."

"I thought I was behind," he said.

Long was watching returns at a party near Ephrata on Tuesday.

"I guess unless something changes, the public has spoken and I tried to run a high-road race," he said in part. "I feel good about what I've done. Life will go on."

Long thanked his campaign manager, his wife Colleen, along with his treasurer Doug Burk, Carol O'Callaghan for her graphic work, consultant Tricia Lubach, Dale Walker, Al and Mardine Brower and many others.

Long said he'll continue running his consulting business and participating in the Masquers Theater and the Basinaires singing group.