With a 1.5 percent margin in the latest vote count, Bremerton lawyer Ed Wolfe has been confirmed as the new Kitsap County Commissioner for District 3.

He also is the first Republican elected to serve on the Kitsap County Commission in the past 10 years.

“I want to thank all who worked so hard to support our effort to Bring Balance Back to Kitsap County,” Wolfe said after final vote totals were announced on Monday of this week. “The voters agreed – the cycle of partisanship and political appointments needs to end. Perhaps most effective in this race was our positive, inclusive campaign that urged voters to put aside special interest and divisive politics.”

With 209 of 209 precincts reporting, Wolfe had 50.7 percent of the vote, according to the Kitsap County Auditor’s election division. That represents 41,073 actual votes.

Linda Streissguth, who held the seat for almost the last year, had 49.1 percent of the vote, or 39,792 votes. Streissguth was appointed to the commission last January when former commissioner Josh Brown resigned to go to work in Seattle for the Puget Sound Regional Council.

After the vote totals were announced on Monday, Wolfe spoke to supporters via email.

“Now the real work begins,” he said.  “I’m anxious to roll up my sleeves and get to work for the families and businesses of Kitsap County who are looking for a balanced perspective on land use and economic growth.

“To those who supported my opponent, I’d ask that you join me to build a constructive and inclusive county government. The truth is we have much in common and if we work together we can accomplish great things in the years ahead.”

Wolfe has said he hopes to take office as soon as the election is certified. That can happen because Streissguth was appointed to the seat, not elected.

Monday’s vote tally resulted in a more than 1.5 percent margin for Wolfe, with only 50 votes left to count, county election officials said. Because the win was more than 1 percent, it is not expected that there will be a recount needed.

Streissguth called Wolfe Tuesday to congratulate him on the victory. She also  spoke to her supporters.

“It has been my profound joy to serve as Kitsap County Commissioner for the past eleven months and I thank you for the support you provided that allowed me that privilege,” she said. “Of course, I am deeply saddened and disappointed that I will not be able to serve a full-four year term and help realize the great things that we envisioned in the future for Kitsap County.”

She said she will be wrapping up her duties during the next two weeks and “leave much work ‘undone’ that I had hoped to accomplish.”

She asked her supporters to keep involved.

“Please continue to stay engaged in our community and remain part of the conversation,” she said. “I often stated, during the campaign, that our future was at stake in this election, and our collective voice still needs to be heard in the months and years ahead. I’m proud we ran an honest campaign with integrity. I believe into short time in office I was able to make a positive impact for our community. I am grateful to the amazing, professional county staff who serve our citizen’s everyday.”

As for her future, “I’m not sure what is next for me but will continue to engaged in our community and its future,” Streissguth said.

Another vote total is expected to be released at 5 p.m. Nov. 14. The election will be certified later this month.