Benton County Race Goes to Recount After 33 Vote Difference
The closest margin in any elected race in Southeastern WA from the August primary will go to a mandatory recount.
Recount set for Benton County Commissioner Seat -2-
We know Michael Alvarez will be on the ballot in November. The Richland City Councilman-Mayor has been active in area politics for the GOP for some time, and he easily cruised his way to a November ballot slot.
However, who he faces is still up for grabs.
After certification day came and went on August 16th, Benton County election officials said the margin between Barry Bush and Bill Jenkin was so close it triggers an automatic and mandatory recount.
Just 33 votes separate the two GOP challengers, Jenkin with 4.145, while Bush has 4.112. Alvarez picked up 7,559.
In Washington state's jungle primary, the top two vote-getters in every race advance to the general in November, regardless of party affiliation. In this case, come November, both candidates will prefer the Republican party as both Bush and Jenkin prefer the GOP as well as Alvarez.
No word on when the recount will be finished.