Michael Shepard leads Eamonn Collins by four votes in the 42nd District State Senate Democratic primary, requiring a hand recount before the November 3 general election. As of August 18, Shepard has 13,125 votes to Collins' 13,121, with nearly 50,000 total votes counted. The race is for an open seat left by Sen. Sharon Shewmake, who is not seeking re-election. Shepard's campaign said they were working to resolve challenged ballots to ensure votes counted, while Collins called the situation 'unprecedented' and expressed pride in the campaign's turnout. The recount will be conducted next week, following a review of challenged ballots. The winner will face Republican Erika Creydt, a psychologist and Blaine school board member, in November. The narrow margin is rare, as recounts rarely change election outcomes.
Senate race recount needed after 4-vote margin
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📄 Source: Cascadia Daily News — https://www.cascadiadaily.com/
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- ✓Michael Shepard leads Eamonn Collins by four votes in the 42nd District State Senate Democratic primary“After examining challenged ballots Monday, Michael Shepard led Eamonn Collins with 13,125 votes to 13,121 in the 42nd Legislative District.”
- ✓The race is for an open seat left by Sen. Sharon Shewmake“The two Democrats are running for an open seat with Sen. Sharon Shewmake, D-Bellingham, forgoing reelection.”
- ✓Sen. Sharon Shewmake is not seeking re-election“The two Democrats are running for an open seat with Sen. Sharon Shewmake, D-Bellingham, forgoing reelection.”
- ✓As of August 18, Shepard has 13,125 votes“After examining challenged ballots Monday, Michael Shepard led Eamonn Collins with 13,125 votes to 13,121 in the 42nd Legislative District.”
- ⚠As of August 18, Collins has 13,121 votesNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
- ✓As of August 18, nearly 50,000 total votes have been counted“Nearly 50,000 votes have been counted in total.”
- ✓Shepard's campaign said they were working to resolve challenged ballots to ensure votes counted“Shepard said Monday evening. He noted his campaign had been reaching out to voters with challenged ballots to resolve the concerns to ensure their votes could be counted.”
- ⚠Collins called the situation 'unprecedented'No usable supporting receipt — unverified.
- ✓Collins expressed pride in the campaign's turnout“"Can’t believe I still have to say that," he continued. Collins said that he feels "whatever happens, we ran a really, really good race. I’m really proud of the votes we were able to turn out." The two Democrats are running for an open seat with Sen. Sharon Shewmake, D-Bellingham, forgoing reelection.”
- ✓The recount will be conducted next week“The results will be confirmed by a hand recount next week.”
- ✓The recount will follow a review of challenged ballots“After examining challenged ballots Monday, Michael Shepard led Eamonn Collins with 13,125 votes to 13,121 in the 42nd Legislative District.”
- ✓The winner will face Republican Erika Creydt in November“Shepard or Collins will face Republican Erika Creydt , a psychologist and Blaine school board member, in November.”
- ✓Erika Creydt is a psychologist“Shepard or Collins will face Republican Erika Creydt , a psychologist and Blaine school board member, in November.”
- ✓Erika Creydt is a Blaine school board member“Shepard or Collins will face Republican Erika Creydt , a psychologist and Blaine school board member, in November.”
- ✓The narrow margin is rare“Recounts don’t often shift electoral outcomes, but the counts are rarely this close.”
- ✓Recounts rarely change election outcomes“Recounts don’t often shift electoral outcomes, but the counts are rarely this close.”
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