Clyde Shavers, left, and Greg Gilday.

Clyde Shavers, left, and Greg Gilday.

Shavers holds 189-vote lead on Gilday in race still too close to call

Shavers, a Democrat, is looking to unseat Gilday, a first-term GOP lawmaker. The outcome could be clear in Wednesday’s tally.

EVERETT — One of the year’s fiercest election battles for a legislative seat inched closer to resolution Tuesday.

Democrat Clyde Shavers held a 189-vote lead on Republican Rep. Greg Gilday in their duel for a House seat in the 10th District. The winner will earn a two-year term representing Island County, north Snohomish County and south Skagit County.

“From day one, we knew this was going to be a very close race so we’re not surprised by the current numbers,” Shavers said in a text message.

Gilday, 44, an attorney and real estate agent from Camano Island, is seeking a second term. He is no stranger to close races as he won in 2020 by 891 votes.

“It has been such a roller coaster,” Gilday said. “We may not know until tomorrow night (Wednesday) or even Thursday.”

Shavers, 32, is a Navy veteran and law school graduate from Oak Harbor who is making his first run for elected office.

He led on election night by 2,312 votes, increasing the lead to 2,507 votes in the second day of ballot counting. Gilday then started chipping away at the deficit in subsequent counts, moving in front for the first time, by 15 votes, in Monday’s tally.

But 24 hours later, the pendulum swung back in Shavers favor. The current advantage may be too much to overcome as most of the uncounted ballots are in Skagit County where Shavers is beating Gilday.

“We’re very optimistic about the outcome given that most of the remaining ballots are from Skagit County,” Shavers said.

As of Tuesday, the margin in the race was 0.27%, close enough to trigger a machine recount.

Under state law, if the difference between the two candidates is less than 2,000 votes and less than 0.50%, then a machine recount is done. A hand recount is required when the final margin is less than 150 votes and also less than 0.25%.

If a recount is required, it would get underway after results are certified Nov. 29.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dospueblos.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

South County Fire plans push-in ceremony for newest fire engine

Anybody who attends will have the opportunity to help push the engine into the station.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas talks to the crowd about the new "Imagine Monroe" city flag and symbol before the ribbon cutting on Monday, July 14, 2025 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Monroe unveils its new $17M City Hall and municipal court

Mayor Geoffrey Thomas showcased the new campus to residents, local and state officials during a celebration Monday.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

National Weather Service issues red flag warning for slopes of Cascades

High temperatures, low humidity and winds are combining for critical fire weather conditions, either “imminent or occurring now.”

Photo courtesy of Graphite Arts Center
Amelia DiGiano’s photography is part of the “Seeing Our Planet” exhibit, which opens Friday and runs through Aug. 9 at the Graphite Arts Center in Edmonds.
A&E Calendar for July 10

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Lynnwood
Lynnwood child, 4, accidentally shoots mother, father arrested

The child retrieved a loaded firearm from his father, who was asleep at the time, South County deputies said.

Opponents of President Donald Trump’s executive order indefinitely halting refugee resettlement in the U.S. rally on the steps of the federal courthouse in Seattle on Feb. 25, 2025, after a judge issued a ruling blocking the president’s order. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)
Refugees from travel ban countries must be allowed to enter US, Seattle judge rules

It’s the latest twist in the legal battle over President Trump’s attempt to block refugee resettlement.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.