PORT ANGELES — Steven Hopf has won a seat on the Clallam County Fire District No. 2 commission.
Hopf had 1,027 votes to Keith Cortner’s 324 votes after the county Auditor’s Office counted ballots from the Port Angeles-area fire district Tuesday.
Hopf, who was not immediately available for comment Wednesday, had 75.8 percent of the early vote, with a district turnout of 22.45 percent.
“Congratulations to Steve,” Cortner said when reached by cell phone Wednesday.
“I have experience, and I think I was the better candidate, but obviously the local [connection] and the name recognition make a difference for us. But he’ll do well.”
The Clallam County Auditor’s Office planned another count of ballots in the all-mail election late Wednesday. Those totals are not reflected here because of press deadlines.
Hopf, 64, is a Port Angeles High School graduate and a retired fire captain-emergency medical technician who worked at South King Fire & Rescue in Federal Way.
Cortner, 60, is emergency management specialist at Early Alert Inc. of Palm City, Fla., who now lives in Port Angeles.
Hopf and Cortner bested 40-year incumbent Commissioner Richard Rudd in the August primary to advance to the general election.
“I greatly appreciate the supporters I had in both the primary and general election,” Cortner said.
Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue covers unincorporated areas surrounding the city of Port Angeles from Lake Crescent to east of Deer Park Road.
It provides fire suppression and advanced life support emergency medical service to 9,500 in communities that include Deer Park, Gales Addition, Mount Pleasant, Black Diamond, Dry Creek and Lake Sutherland.
Fire District 2 commissioners pass a general operating budget that in 2019 was $2.2 million. They also levy taxes and propose levies and bonds for voter approval.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsula dailynews.com.
Steve Hopf