Winners in various candidate races on Whidbey Island appeared to have maintained their leads as the week has gone on.

As of Thursday night, the Island County Elections Office counted 24,132 ballots, with an estimated 1,600 ballots left to count. The next count occurred after press time.

In arguably the most hotly contested race on the island, the incumbent member of the South Whidbey School Board is well ahead of her challenger. Ann Johnson has 4,801 ballots cast in her favor, which is about 65% of the vote, while Gwendy Gabelein has 2,576 votes, or about 35%.

“The school community needs a healthy board that looks to education’s future and is uncompromising in its work to build for the good of all,” Johnson said. “I am deeply proud to maintain my place as an elected volunteer and offer

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