As the votes were tallied up across Kitsap County Tuesday night, the leaders in key Central Kitsap races emerged.

Candidate Races:

In the race for Bremerton City Council District 6, Michael Simpson led with 363 votes at 56.5 percent, while competitor Anna Mockler trailed with 278 votes at 43.3 percent.

Simpson said of his lead, “I’m feeling pretty good. I think the neighbors have spoken with a pretty loud voice on who they want to come through. I’m not real surprised about the numbers. This is a good day for freedom and transparency in our government.”

Multiple attempts to reach Mockler for comment were unsuccessful.

In the race for Port of Bremerton Commissioner District 2, Gary Anderson led with 6,659 at 53.2 percent, while competitor Jack Edwards trailed behind with 5,759 votes at 46 percent.

“Everybody worked hard to support the campaign,” Anderson said. “Support came from family, friends, community members and the elected officials who endorsed me.”

“It’s not the results we wanted but if the results stand as is, I want to congratulate Gary on his victory,” Edwards said shortly after the first round of votes were tallied up Tuesday night. “He ran a great campaign and probably one of the most contested port commission races in recent history. I want to thank everyone who supported me in my campaign. It’s truly a learning experience.”

In the race for Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue Commissioner Position 4, Ken Erickson led with 4,723 votes at 55.4 percent, while competitor Curtis Perdue trailed with 3,745 at 43.9 percent.

“I’d like to thank the citizens for their confidence and support of me,” Erickson said. “I’m so proud of our outstanding fire district and am looking forward to serving the next term. I’ll have to work hard to make sure the union feels like I’m supporting them.”

“It’s been a great race,” Perdue said shortly after the first round of votes were tallied up Tuesday night. “I’m so blessed to live in a great community. It’s not a loss for me, it’s not a failure. Failure only comes when you don’t try. We’ll see what the future brings.”

In the race for Central Kitsap School District Director District 2, Rob MacDermid led with 4,262 votes at 57.6 percent, while competitor Ryan Hamilton trailed with 3,073 at 41.5 percent.

In response to the results, MacDermid said: “I’m thankful for the support I’ve received but I applaud my opponent. I think he made a good showing. My hat’s off to him.”

Multiple attempts to reach Hamilton were unsuccessful.

Uncontested Races

Results are as of Tuesday night

Bremerton City Council District 2 – Leslie Daugs, 424 votes, 96.1 percent

Bremerton City Council District 4 – Lori Wheat, 214 votes, 93.4 percent

Bremerton School District Director Position 1 – Karen Bolton, 3,704 votes, 97.9 percent

Bremerton School District Director Position 2 – John Paul Hurley, 3,669 votes, 98 percent

Bremerton School District Director Position 3 – Jonee Dubos, 3,647 votes, 97.9 percent

Central Kitsap School District Director Position 3 – Drayton Jackson, 6, 110 votes, 97.7 percent

Central Kitsap School District Director Position 4 – Jeanie Schulze, 6,250 votes, 97.9 percent

Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue Commissioner Position 2 – Guy Earle, 7,204 votes, 98.8 percent

Port of Brownsville Commissioner District 3 – Shaun Nye, 1,531 votes, 97.9 percent

Port of Illahee Commissioner Position 3 – James Aho, 567 votes, 97.8 percent

Port of Silverdale Commissioner District 1 – Caleb Reese, 2,084 votes, 98.5 percent

Port of Tracyton Commissioner District 3 – Ken Griffin, 830 votes, 97.4 percent

Proposed levies:

65.5 percent voted in favor of the proposed tax levy by the City of Bremerton for Emergency Medical Care and Services with 2,579 votes in favor of the proposal.

Election turnout

Turnout for the 2019 General Election stood at a paltry 22.6 percent in Kitsap County on Election Day, according to the Kitsap County Elections Division.

Out of 174,796 registered voters, a total of 39,418 ballots were received in time to count on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Steve Gardner of the Kitsap County Auditor’s Office said turnout is expected to improve as more ballots come in Wednesday and later this week.

Turnout is still expected to move toward the 40 percent mark.

“We will have a pretty big jump today by counting yesterday’s returns and whatever comes in by mail,” Gardner said on Wednesday.

“Tomorrow’s won’t be as big as today’s, but it will still be significant. We’re still expecting about 40 percent.”

Only 2,625 ballots were accepted for counting on Tuesday — less than half the number that came in Monday (5,704).

The next vote count for the General Election will be posted by the Kitsap County Elections Division by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, after press time for the Central Kitsap Reporter. For updated election coverage please check KitsapDailyNews.com