Update: SK, Bremerton levies go opposite directions; some incumbents trail

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Time is up for voters to cast their ballots in the Kitsap County primaries, and while votes are counted and finalized, the first few days of results give some key insight into the races of Central and South Kitsap.

South Kitsap Fire and Rescue’s attempt to renew its levy to the rate of $1.50 per $1,000 assessed property value appears to be doing better than last year’s proposition. As it stands, the “yes” vote holds a lead at nearly 53%.

The city of Bremerton’s public safety tax proposition is not doing as well, with the “no” vote at 54%.

The top two in the following races will advance to the general election in November.

For Port Orchard City Council, Heidi Fenton holds the slimmest of leads on incumbent Cindy Lucarelli 48% to 46%. Jessica Hallman received 6%.

Turning to the South Kitsap school board, incumbent John Berg finds himself in third place with just 20% of the vote. Ahead of him are Megan Higgins at 36% and Jaime Cross at 23%. Trailing are Glenn Goddard at 17% and Paul Nuchims at 5%,

Jay Villars at 49% and Rhonda Edwards at 36% lead the way in the SKSD District 5 race. Larry Mann is third at 15%.

South Kitsap voters had a commissioners’ race to decide for the fire district. Incumbent Mike Eslava leads the way with 47% with Robert McGee not far behind at 37%. Brent Rotter is at 16%.

In the Central Kitsap School District, incumbent board president Drayton Jackson leads the District 3 race at 41%, followed by Jim Grose at 38%, Rob Sanders 12% and George Campbell 8%.

District 4’s race saw Meghan Hein dominate the polls at 69%. Hein was appointed to the school board in 2022. In second is Jason Gilham at 15%, Eric Rolenaitis at 12% and Josh Wexler under 4%