EPHRATA — Kevin R. Burgess won the Grant County Commissioner District 1 race with 9,613 votes. Amador Castro received 5,285 votes.  Incumbent Danny Stone opted not to run for reelection.

However, as votes continue to be counted, the winner is unlikely to change before the County Canvassing Board certifies and transmits the results to the Secretary of State’s Office on Nov. 26 and the Secretary of State certifies the election Dec. 5. As of press time, there were still about 150 ballots left to count, according to the Grant County Auditor’s Office, which is not enough to change the result. 

Initial Grant County results indicate Burgess earned the local vote by 63.79% and Castro received 35.07%.  

“Win or lose, I want what’s best for Grant County,” Castro said in a statement to the Columbia Basin Herald. “I’ve put in the work and ultimately it’s up to the people now.” 

Burgess did not respond to requests for comment prior to press time.  

In the Aug. 6 primary election, Burgess won the primary with 3,036 votes and 48.83% of the voters. Amador J. Castro followed with 1,863 votes and 29.96% of the voters. Dave Bren, who exited the race received 1,239 votes.  

Mail-in ballots will continue to trickle in over the next few days which could impact the results.