Two-candidate races to be continued in November

Races for Clallam County Commissioner District 3 and the Jefferson County Sheriff were on Tuesday’s primary election ballot but there will be no change in the lineup on the Nov. 8 general election ballot. That’s because the top-two primary election narrows contests with more than two candidates to two for the general election.

Races with no more than two competing are on the primary ballot but the election will be continued in November.

Sheriff Joe Nole received 7,006 votes, or 71.72 percent, in Tuesday’s initial count of primary ballots.

His challenger, fellow Democrat Art Frank, who has served as Jefferson County undersheriff, detective, chief criminal deputy and patrol officer, received 2,694 votes, or 27.58 percent.

In the contest for the Clallam County commissioner seat, incumbent Bill Peach of Forks, a Republican, won 2,372 votes, or 51.45 percent, while Mike French, Port Angeles City Council member and a Democrat, won 2,230 votes, or 48.37 percent, in updated numbers after a second count of ballots on Wednesday.