Tuson, Lewis advance in PUD 3 Commission race

Note: This story has been updated to include Wednesday’s 4:30 p.m. second ballot count.

Juli Tuson and Randy Lewis will advance to the Nov. 8 general election in a bid to represent District 3 on the Mason PUD 3 Commission.

Tuson and Lewis were the top two vote-getters of the four candidates competing in Tuesday’s primary election.

They are seeking a six-year term as the commissioner of District 1 on the three-member board. Linda Gott, who is not seeking re-election, has served in that position since 1999.

In the ballot results released at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Tuson received 1,928 votes for 35.14%, and Lewis had 1,787 votes for 32.57%. Marty Crow received 889 votes for 16.20%, and Brianna Sheetz had 850 votes for 15.49%. Thirty-two write-in votes were cast.

The results of the second ballot count were scheduled to be released at 4 p.m. Wednesday, after the Journal had gone to press. For updates, check the Journal’s website.

“I am very pleased, especially with such a well-rounded group of candidates,” Tuson said in a telephone interview with the Journal.

Tuson said she plans to spend the next three months meeting people and participating in candidate forums.

“It’s been an entirely new experience,” she said of her campaign. “I’ve enjoyed it.”

Lewis offered his congratulations to Tuson, and to Crow and Sheetz.

“It takes courage running,” he told the Journal.

Lewis said he plans to reach out to voters outside his district.

“I’ll be active out there,” he said.