Write-in votes favor Putnam for mayor
Scott Putnam appears to have received the Republican write-in nomination for Washington mayor in addition to defeating current Mayor Brenda Davis in the Democratic primary Tuesday, practically guaranteeing him the job next year. Putnam will be the only candidate on both ballots in the November general election.
“It’s a huge honor to get the Republican nomination, as well, and just makes things easy for the general election for sure,” Putnam said.
Putnam received 110 write-in votes, while Davis fell short with 89 votes, according to an unofficial count conducted Wednesday by the Observer-Reporter. Davis did not return a call seeking comment.
The 203 write-in ballots will be evaluated by the canvass board, which will begin counting ballots Friday. Candidates needed at least 100 write-in votes to receive a party nomination for mayor.
Two seats on City Council are up for grabs, and Monda Williams received a Democratic nomination with 672 votes. She was running unopposed on the Democratic ticket. Georgia Ballentyne, who also was unopposed on the Republican ticket, received 182 votes.
Former mayor and current Councilman Kenneth Westcott, who withdrew from the Democratic race when his ethics form filing was challenged, received 195 write-in votes, according to unofficial results, also putting him on the ballot. A minimum of 100 write-in votes was needed.
“First and foremost, I want to thank those individuals who took time to write me in,” he said. “I took the tougher approach to getting elected, or at least getting on the ballot, and I appreciate all of their support.”
David Gatling appeared to trail behind Westcott with 114 write-in votes.
Councilman Terry Faust, who also was removed from the ballot due to nominating petition challenges, said he is considering running as an independent in the general election. He changed his party from Republican to independent.
“I’m really excited about what’s going on with the city and what we can do moving on,” he said.