County, Cowlitz County, Castle Rock
Dahl leads Chandler in early returns for Cowlitz County commissioner
Incumbent Rick Dahl had 53.7% of the vote in the first unofficial count in the District 3 race. Results are not final until the county certifies them.
Cowlitz County Commissioner Richard "Rick" Dahl led challenger Chelsea Chandler in the first unofficial results in the District 3 race, released on election night, Nov. 3.
Dahl, who prefers the Republican Party, had 18,893 votes, or 53.74%, according to the Cowlitz County Elections Office. Chandler, who prefers the Democratic Party, had 16,229 votes, or 46.16%. Write-in votes totaled 35. Dahl led by 2,664 votes.
The results are unofficial. The county listed its next results update for Nov. 4. Ballots are tallied over several days after Election Day, and results are unofficial until certification, according to the state voters' pamphlet.
The first report counted 36,138 ballots countywide, a turnout of 45.85% of the county's 78,810 registered voters.
How the race got here
The August primary for the seat was held only in the district's 36 precincts. In certified primary results, Dahl received 6,225 votes, or 57.84%, and Chandler received 4,531 votes, or 42.10%. Under Washington's top-two primary, both advanced to the November ballot, where the race appeared countywide.
The candidates
Dahl's current term began in January 2023 and ends in December 2026, according to the county's list of elected officials. In his voters' pamphlet statement, Dahl described himself as a 30-year Castle Rock resident who retired after a 39-year banking career, most recently as a senior vice president and chief retail officer. He wrote that he opposed a flood control ordinance he said put unneeded restrictions on property owners, and that he supported letting a tax expire. He asked voters for another four years.
In her statement, Chandler described work as a Peace Corps volunteer, in community health and as a middle school science, technology, engineering and math teacher. She wrote that she wants commissioners to focus on economic opportunity, bringing investment to the county, public safety, affordability and responsible use of tax dollars.
The board
The three-member Board of County Commissioners also includes Steve Rader of District 1 and Steve Ferrell of District 2. Both prefer the Republican Party, and their terms run through December 2028.
The District 3 seat carries a four-year term.