Kitsap County Republicans produced an election upset yesterday, with the self-proclaimed conservative Jack Hamilton defeating moderate incumbent District 3 Commissioner Patty Lent. Sheriff Steve Boyer was also elected to a third term.

All numbers were preliminary, with final totals due by the end of the week. Initial numbers showed Hamilton with 2,039 (57.37%) over Lent’s 1,512 (42.54%) and Boyer with 13,540 (68.58%) over his opponent, Deputy Jim Rye’s 6,178 (31.29%). Hamilton will face Democrat Josh Brown.

“I realize there isn’t enough time to convert everyone in the county to my way of thinking,” Hamilton said. “But I appreciate the voters’ confidence in me. I won’t change my strategy, which is an effort to straighten out the courthouse and bring common sense to government.”

Hamilton admittedly will have some trouble winning votes in Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap. This could also become a referendum on the proposed NASCAR track, which Brown opposes and Hamilton generally supports.

“People are looking for a change,” Brown said. “The want a new voice, someone who will lead and make the county a better place to live. They are fed up with politics as usual.

“Jack identifies himself as an ideologue,” Brown said of his opponent. “But the voters don’t want an ideologue. They want someone who isn’t closed minded and tells them how to think. They want their leaders to listen, and bring the county together.”

In a contentious sheriff’s contest Rye received the endorsement of the Deputies’ Guild, setting up a labor-versus-management challenge. Rye refused to openly debate Boyer, saying he feared retribution. While Boyer said repeatedly he does not engage in retribution, Rye countered by saying he did not trust the incumbent.

While the Rye campaign did not at first concede the race, Boyer was jubilant on Tuesday night.

“We ran a clean campaign and took the high road,” Boyer said. “The democratic process can be filled with disagreement but can also have a sense of honor. It gives us a great opportunity to discuss the issues. I still want to build the greatest sheriff’s department in the country.

“I am a persistent optimist. And none of the accomplishments are because of me. All the positive things that happen in the department are because of the deputies.”

Rye spokesman Jamie Jensen countered with “we are still hoping that Kitsap County will have a new sheriff. If that doesn’t happen I hope that Sheriff Boyer sees that his deputies need a little more from him.”

The only other contested county office was for assessor, with incumbent Jim Avery defeating Kris Danielson.

“I am very pleased the voters made the decision they did,” Avery said. “I expect to provide more of the same, and continue to do the job efficiently.”

Those elected without opposition are Auditor Karen Flynn, Clerk Dave Peterson, Coroner Greg Sandstrom, Prosecuting Attorney Russ Hauge and Treasurer Barbara Stephenson.

There were three contested state legislature primary races. In the 35th District, Tim Sheldon held off a challenge from Kyle Taylor Lucas for the Democratic nomination.

Republicans had two primary contests in the 26th District, where Jim Hines bested Lois McMahan in a competition for the seat held by retiring Sen. Bob Oke and Ron Boehme outpolled Trent England in a race to replace Rep. Derek Kilmer.

Kilmer was not opposed in his effort to get the Democratic nomination for Oke’s seat.

For the Washington State Supreme Court the apparent winners were incumbents Gerry Alexander, Tom Chambers and Susan Owens.

Election results will be updated daily throughout the week and will be

viewable on www.kitsapgov.com/aud/elections/2006.htm.