Pierpoint, Bateman clear leaders in race for open 22nd Legislative District seat
Only 12 votes separated former Lacey Police Chief Dusty Pierpoint and Olympia City Council member Jessica Bateman, the two clear leaders in the race for the open seat in Washington’s 22nd Legislative District, after initial vote tallies Tuesday night.
The top two candidates advance to the general election, regardless of party.
Both candidates received a fraction above 35% of the vote: Pierpoint netted 9,028 votes and Bateman 9,016.
More than 20 percentage points behind them is Mary Ellen Biggerstaff, a nurse practitioner endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, who pulled in 13.6% of Tuesday’s vote tally.
Despite out-fundraising the rest of the field, social worker and Colville Tribes member Glenda Breiler won only 10.6% of the vote.
Wildlife biologist Anthony Novack received 5.5% of the vote.
Pierpoint, who was the Chief of Police in Lacey from 2005-2018 and is the only Republican in the race, stressed his role as a political newcomer.
“As a Republican, I knew it could be difficult, but on the same hand there’s folks who are just looking at credentials and experience and not necessarily just what party they’re voting for,” Pierpoint said.
“Trying to get people back to work and businesses operating again has been important, and still is,” Pierpoint added. “I’m not saying I’ve got answers to all that, but we certainly need to role our sleeves up and find ways to work through this.”
Bateman, who also serves as Mayor pro tem of Olympia, attributed the success to her track record on Olympia’s City Council.
“I think tonight’s results reflect my progressive leadership on the council, a history of building coalitions, and getting results for our communities,” Bateman said. “I want to bring that same energy to the legislature to fight for working families, seniors, and our most vulnerable.”
So far, a 47,238 ballots have been counted, a voter turnout of 25%. Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall said there are about 18,000 ballots left to count, and she expects more to arrive in the mail in the coming days.
Hall said tonight saw a higher turnout than similar elections in past years, and that Thurston County’s turnout is about 4 or 5 percent higher than the rest of the state so far.
This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 9:47 PM.
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