When the initial results of the Nov. 7 general election were released, the letter D was at the first letter of all the winners.

Democrats Sherry Appleton and Christine Rolfes had commanding early leads in the Washington State House of Representatives 23rd District races and the downtown city hall location had a 3-to-2 advantage over the 10th Avenue location.

Tuesday night the downtown city hall site had 997 votes or 58 percent to 10th Avenue’s 762 votes or 42 percent.

“I’m really pleased with the initial tally,” said Bight of Poulsbo founder Bill Austin, who led the charge for the downtown location. “However, I’ll make another statement when the final results are known.”

Going into the election, Austin expressed his nervousness about the outcome and even after seeing the initial results, he remain cautious about the final verdict.

“It ain’t over til it’s over,” Austin said. “The council said they would abide by the vote and we’re going to hold them to it.”

For Bill Lockard, who led the push to keep city hall on the 10th Avenue location, the initial results were disappointing.

“I’m disappointed with the initial results so far, and I can only hope for a more favorable outcome for 10th Avenue when the final vote is known,” Lockard said.

The facts support the 10th Avenue location and if the initial results hold the onus will be on the city council, Lockard said.

“They’re going to be faced with some very difficult decisions on how to proceed with and how to finance a new city hall,” Lockard said.

In the 23rd District Position 2 race, challenger Christine Rolfes, a former Bainbridge Island City Councilwoman, held almost a 3,000 vote lead over incumbent Bev Woods of Kingston.

Rolfes had 56 percent of the initial vote to Woods’ 44 percent.

“It was a difficult race and I worked really hard,” Rolfes said after the initial results were announced. “It feels really good and I’m surprised, I’d say, by the margin of victory.”

Her emphasis on healthcare and public education were two of the keys to her success en route to Olympia, Rolfes said.

“Those are two things I ran on and I think they resonated with the voters,” Rolfes said.

While Rolfes was buoyed by the initial results Woods wasn’t ready to concede the race Wednesday night.

“Let’s face it. I don’t know if I can catch up, but we’ll wait and see tomorrow,” Woods said. “I feel good about what I have done for the district.”

Woods said she ran a very clean and positive campaign, but she feels she got caught in the nationwide backlash against the Republican Party.

“I go out with my head held high,” Woods said. “I don’t think it has as much do with me as it does with what’s going on across the country.”

For Appleton, the initial results were a welcome sight as she appeared headed to a second term in Olympia.

“”It feels very good to be recognized by that kind of majority,” Appleton said. “It’s such a bittersweet victory because I wish my husband could be here.”

Appleton’s husband, Ron Appleton, lost his battle with cancer in late August, but Appleton credited her campaign staff for carrying the baton during her absence.

“My goal is to go back and the payday lending bill passed, do something about the Growth Management Act for Bainbridge Island,” Appleton said. “I want to work very hard for healthcare and fourth and most importantly I want to protect the Puget Sound for my granddaughter and all grandchildren.”