By Dennis Box-The Courier-Herald
The first wave of primary election results have been posted Wednesday, Aug. 22, on the Pierce County Auditor's Web site and one Bonney Lake City Council race is very tight.
In each of the primary races, the two candidates receiving the most votes move to the Nov. 6 general election. Ballots will continue to be counted until the election is certified Sept. 5. Updated results are posted Monday through Friday on the auditor's Web site, www.co.pierce.wa.us.
As of Wednesday morning, four votes were separating the top two candidates in the City Council Ward 5 race.
Incumbent Phil DeLeo received 85 votes with 32.44 percent followed by Dan Decker with 81 votes and 30.92 percent.
Coming in third was Vicki Karuzas at 63 votes and 24.05 percent and fourth was Michael Armanious, receiving 33 votes and 12.60 percent.
If DeLeo and Decker remain on top they will move to the general election ballot.
In the City Council at-large position No. 2 Mark Hamilton received 625 votes for 54.97 percent. Finishing second was Tom Watson with 302 votes for 26.56 percent. Jessica Larios came in third with 203 votes and 17.85 percent.
Hamilton and Watson appear poised to move forward.
In the Port Commission Position No. 3 race, six candidates vied for the top two spots. Finishing first was Don Johnson with 26,282 votes and 39.42 percent. Running second was Bill Casper gaining 10,749 votes and 16.12 percent.
Coming in third was David W. Lovell with 8,839 votes, 13.26 percent; fourth was Jerry Thorpe with 8,280, 12.42 percent; and fifth was Dave Hyres at 7,761 with 11.64 percent. Running sixth was Paul Carroll, 4,017 votes and 6.03 percent.
The Fire District No. 22 Commissioner Position No. 1 drew four candidates.
On top was Raymond R. Bunk III with 1,093 votes, 32.20 percent, and second was Roger E. Coleman Jr. at 1,023 votes, 30.14 percent.
Running third was Dick Willner, receiving 776 votes and 22.86 percent, and fourth was Patrick A. Claffey with 471 votes and 13.88 percent.
Bunk and Coleman are in position to move onto the November ballot.
Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@courierherald.com.
