Commissioner Nafisa Fai has moved into the lead over fellow Commissioner Pam Treece in the race for Washington County Commission Chair, according to new election results released Tuesday.
The shift marks the first time in the counting process that Fai has held the advantage. The latest figures show Fai with 49.61% of the vote, while Treece holds 49.45%, representing a narrow margin of 363 votes, hillsboronewstimes.com reported.
The race to lead the five-person governing board remains extremely tight as officials continue to process ballots. Because the margin is so small, the outcome remains subject to the verification of thousands of challenged ballots and the potential for legal mandates regarding recounts. The winner will replace Chair Kathryn Harrington, who did not seek reelection.
This sudden reversal in momentum follows a steady narrowing of the gap over the last week. On Election Day, initial returns showed Treece leading with 51% of the vote to Fai’s 48%, opb reported. By November 6, the gap had tightened further, with Treece holding 49.99% to Fai’s 49.07%, according to hillsboronewstimes.com.
The tightening margin and recount triggers
The volatility in the numbers highlights the complexity of the current tabulation. While the latest update shows Fai ahead, the Washington County Elections Division said that Tuesday’s count does not include thousands of ballots that were challenged due to signature issues. These ballots can take several weeks to verify.
The mathematical stakes are high for both campaigns. Under Oregon law, an automatic hand recount is required if the margin between candidates is less than 0.2%. Based on the unofficial Tuesday tallies, a recount would be triggered if the certified results show a margin of less than 436 votes.
The following table tracks the progression of the chair race through the counting period:
| Date of Tally | Nafisa Fai % | Pam Treece % | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 4 | 48% | 51.1% | Treece |
| Nov. 6 | 49.07% | 49.99% | Treece |
| Nov. 10 | 49.61% | 49.45% | Fai |
Beyond the chair race, the District 4 seat for the commission is also seeing a close contest. Hillsboro City Councilor Kipperlyn Sinclair holds a slim lead with 50.7% of the vote over former Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway, who has 48.5%, opb reported.
Progressive Candidates Win on Anti-Data Center Platform
The results in the chair race are part of a broader electoral trend across Washington County. A coalition of progressive candidates, many aligned with Fai and Sinclair, secured victories in races for the Hillsboro City Council and in Tigard, Forest Grove, and Tualatin.
As the county works through the remaining ballots, the next significant update is scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13. All current tallies remain unofficial until the final certification process is complete.
The results will be certified as final by Monday, Nov. 30.
Worth a look
Son of Hollywood Actors Arrested in Fatal Anchorage Hit-and-run
Jack Sabàto, the 32-year-old son of prominent Hollywood actors, was arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that...
Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell Tease Twists in Season 2 of ‘The Madison
Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell are anticipating significant narrative shifts in the second season of the Paramount+ drama...
Charleston County Considers $3 Million Expansion for Dungannon Heritage Preserve
Charleston County officials are weighing a $3 million investment to acquire 608 acres of land in Hollywood, South...
2014 Oil Crash Has Stunted Houston’s Economic Mobility
Houston's economic mobility remains stunted a decade after global oil prices plummeted by 70% between 2014 and 2016....