Odessa, Lincoln County out-voted statewide

ODESSA — As of 2 p.m. Nov. 24, Lincoln County had counted 7,073 ballots, accounting for 87.87% of the 8,049 registered voters in the county. For the most part, Lincoln County voters followed their traditional Republican leanings, while statewide voting predominantly favored Democratic candidates.

Although Lincoln County voted for the Trump/Pence ticket by 73.23% vs. 24.36% for Biden/Harris all the down to the precinct level, the statewide vote was a bit closer in favor of the Democrats who garnered 57.97% of the vote to the Republicans 38.77%.

Fifth Congressional District Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers maintained her seat in Congress defeating Dave Wilson 61.28% to 38.52% statewide and 80.08% to 19.69% in Lincoln County.

In the governor’s race, Republican challenger Loren Culp drew 77.83% of votes compared to 21.79% for incumbent Democrat Jay Inslee, but Inslee won the statewide race with 56.56% compared to Culp’s 43.12%. For Lt. Governor, the county voted for a write-in candidate over the two Democrats running.

The remaining state races, for secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor, state attorney general, commissioner of public lands, superintendent of public instruction and insurance commissioner were all won by Democratic incumbents, with the sole exception of Republican Secretary of State Kim Wyman. Lincoln County voters favored the Republican candidates in each case.

District 13 incumbents in the state legislature, Tom Dent and Alex Ybarra, both Republicans, were re-elected by wide margins. Lincoln County commissioners Mark Stedman and Scott Hutsell, both Republicans also held onto their seats, running unopposed.

In the race for Superior Court Judge, current Lincoln County Prosecutor Jeff Barkdull defeated current District Court Judge Dan Johnson.

The only race specific to Odessa was that regarding the establishment of a metropolitan park district to support the pool. Voters in Odessa and the surrounding area were in favor of the park district, 76.13% to 23.87%. The five commissioners running to govern the park district were all running unopposed and won easily. By precinct, voters in Enos voted 14 to 8 for the district, Irby 15 to 13, Lamona 22 to 9, Layton 21 to 4, rural Odessa 97 to 21 and inside Odessa 384 to 119 for a total of 555 votes for to 174 votes against.