PORT TOWNSEND — Attorneys Keith Harper and Peggy Ann Bierbaum were leading in tonight’s initial primary election vote count in the race for the Superior Court, Position 1 judgeship now held by Craddock D. Verser, who is retiring.

Harper had 4,077 votes, or 47.7 percent, while Peggy Ann Bierbaum drew 2,886 votes, or 33.8 percent.

Port Townsend attorney Michael Haas had received 1,555 votes or 18.21 percent.

Once all ballots in the all-mail race are counted, the top two vote-getters will advance to the Nov. 6 general election.

If any judicial candidate receives more than half of the votes in the primary than the candidate would take office without a general election contest.

“I’m happy with the results and I’m looking forward to the general election,” said Harper, 58, of Port Townsend.

“I think the issues will be the same as what we’ve been talking about for the last several months, judicial temperament, experience and general suitability.”

Bierbaum, 54, of Quilcene, said she was pleased with the vote tally.

“I intend to work tirelessly over the next three months to earn the rest of the support of the rest of the voters,” she said.

Both candidates thanked their family and supporters for their strong showing.

Haas, 50, said he had hoped to do better but learned a lot during the campaign.

“We had a lot of good ideas that hopefully Peggy Ann or Keith might use like establishing a veterans’ court or not allowing a court commissioner to practice in front of the judge that appointed them,” Haas said.

“I regret that we had such a short campaign season and wonder if we had more time we would have been able to get more of our ideas across.”

Ballots were issued to 21,886 registered voters across Jefferson County and the Jefferson County Auditor’s Office has received 9,370 ballots, for a voter turnout of 42.81 percent so far, Auditor Donna Eldridge said.

The Jefferson County Auditor’s Office counted 9,370 ballots tonight, with about 1,200 still on hand but not counted and another 200 ballots expected to come in this week.

Eldridge predicts a final voter turnout of 54 percent.

The next ballot count is scheduled for Friday at about noon.

Verser, who is undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer, decided not to seek a third term, and endorsed Harper who has served as a court commissioner, judge pro tem, part-time city attorney and part-time city prosecutor.

Harper and Bierbaum are sole practitioners who serve as court commissioners, or substitute judges.

Haas shares a practice with attorney Sam Ramirez.

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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.