By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The sitting Lewis County clerk edged out his opponent by just 38 votes, but because the race is so close, a recount will be conducted, according to officials.
Scott Tinney was appointed to the position a year ago after Lewis County Clerk Kathy Brack vacated the elected office two years into a four-year term.
Scott Tinney
Carla Shannon, a deputy clerk in the Lewis County Clerk’s Office, ran against him. Both are Republicans.
The results of the November election were certified today.
The final tally shows Tinney with 7,318 votes and Shannon with 7,280.
Lewis County Auditor Larry Grove said today that because the number of votes separating the two candidates is so small, a machine recount has been scheduled for next Tuesday, at 10 a.m.
Because Brack served as a Republican, her party got a role in the process of replacing her after her retirement in September of 2016. The local party’s first choice was Shannon, but the Lewis County Board of Commissioners selected the party’s third choice, Tinney, when they made the appointment last year.
Carla Shannon
The Lewis County clerk serves as the official record keeper for the Lewis County Superior Court. The office is on the second floor of the Lewis County Law and Justice Center in Chehalis.
Shannon has worked in Lewis County as a deputy clerk in Lewis County about six years. Tinney previously worked as a deputy clerk in Thurston County.
The position will again be on the ballot in November 2018 for a normal four-year term.
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For background, read “Primary voters favor Tinney, Shannon for county clerk” from Wednesday August 2, 2017, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter