COUPEVILLE — After a weeklong hand recount of ballots, Island County election officials announced late Monday that a 62-vote edge makes Angie Homola the winner in the District 2 county commission race.
Next month Homola will join fellow Democrats Helen Price Johnson of District 1 and John Dean of District 3 on the board of commissioners.
Homola beat incumbent commissioner William “Mac” McDowell, a four-term Republican, by only 62 votes — 19,218 to his 19,156.
While driving to Olympia on Tuesday for a training session for newly elected government officials, Homola said she appreciates the efforts of those who helped with the long recount.
“I am delighted to be elected and am looking forward to serving Island County in these challenging times,” she said. “There is a lot to learn, but I have been attending meetings and talking with the heads of county departments.”
Homola will be Island County’s second female commissioner.
Throughout its 155-year history, the Island County Board of Commissioners was an all-male group. That changed when Johnson was sworn in Nov. 25.
Johnson defeated Republican incumbent Phil Bakke in the general election. Since Bakke had been appointed to fill the District 1 seat following a resignation last year, Johnson was sworn in after the election was certified.
In the District 2 race, McDowell beat Homola by 14 percentage points in the primary election. Homola said she was only cautiously optimistic about defeating McDowell right up until she was notified of her win on Monday night.
The win signals a change in Island County, Homola said.
“I am committed to supporting the vast majority of Washingtonians who believe that how we steward our property has a direct impact on our neighbors, the environment and future generations,” she said. “Lean times call for creative and refreshing ideas and solutions. I look forward to tapping the wealth of talent available in our community.”
Commissioner Dean of Camano Island said earlier that he is looking forward to working with Homola and Johnson.
“In this economic climate, it’s going to be important to have fresh ideas,” Dean said last month. “To have two women on the board of commissioners, that’s historic.”
Homola, an architect and owner of a small business, is a mother and is married to a Naval Reserve commander.
Reporter Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427 or gfiege@heraldnet.com.
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