Duenkel captures auditor race

A wave of post-election day ballot counts catapulted Steve Duenkel to a narrow victory in the Mason County auditor's race.

Duenkel, the Republican challenger, trailed incumbent Democrat Paddy McGuire by 547 votes in results released election night. By Wednesday's second ballot count, which occurred after the Journal went to press last week, Duenkel had erased McGuire's lead and gained a seven-vote advantage.

Duenkel led by 272 votes after Thursday's count, which was the final before Veterans Day weekend, and was ahead by 281 votes after Monday's count.

The totals announced Monday were 14,515 (50.46%) votes for Duenkel, 14,234 votes for McGuire (49.48%) and 17 write-in votes (0.06%). Additionally, 481 voters did not choose a candidate in the race.

The 2022 General Election saw 29,248 ballots cast out of 44,045 registered voters in the county, a 66.4% turnout.

"I am thankful, honored and humbled by the election results at this point," Duenkel wrote in a Tuesday afternoon email to the Journal. "I first want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I also want to thank my lovely wife, Jen, for everything she's done leading up to and through the campaign. Next, I want to thank my campaign manager, Nancy Brown, along with the many volunteers on the campaign team."

McGuire conceded to Duenkel after Monday's results and the two met Tuesday morning to discuss working together to ensure the transition goes smoothly. Duenkel said he will meet with McGuire after Thanksgiving to begin the process.

"I called Steve Duenkel to congratulate him on his election as auditor," McGuire wrote in a Tuesday morning email to the Journal. "He got more votes than me and he won. That's what an election professional does, respect the will of the voters and stand behind the results whether one is happy about the outcome or not. Candidate Duenkel did not demonstrate an ability to accept results he doesn't like; I hope Auditor Duenkel learns to."

McGuire's term expires Dec. 31 and the first election of Duenkel's term takes place Feb. 14, which includes a Shelton School District operations levy.

"Much of the transition plan will entail work with the Elections Office staff to ensure that the Feb. 14, 2023, election goes well and that we provide the people with timely results," Duenkel wrote. "I have gotten to know the elections staff somewhat through the time I have spent with them during the 2022 primary and general elections, and I have a lot of confidence in their work and look forward to working with them."

Duenkel expressed gratitude to the voters of the county that "put their trust in me to be their next auditor."

"For those who voted for my opponent, I want to thank them for voting and assure them that as I work each day to serve all the people of Mason County that I will welcome their input and look for ways to earn their trust."

Author Bio

Justin Johnson, Editor

Shelton-Mason County Journal & Belfair Herald
Email: [email protected]