This election has been unlike any other. One city council candidate withdrew a day before the election, another candidate is an incumbent of 20 years and one race has a 26 vote difference. 

The 2021 Kittitas County General Election took place Tuesday, Oct. 2. Only 31.74% of eligible voters voted. Two of the Ellensburg City Council races remain close, while another has a substantial lead. 

As of publication, there are an estimated 465 ballots still left to count. Those results will be added on Nov. 4 at 6:00 p.m.

City Council Position 3

In a last minute turn of events for position 3, Robles withdrew from the election on Monday, Nov. 1, after taking a job with the Ferndale School District as their new Director of Equity and Inclusion.

Adam Winn holds a 161-vote lead over Barbara del Mar Robles. This election is too close to call.

In a release written by Robles on Nov. 1 and shared on the Ferndale School District website on Nov. 2, she said she was discontinuing her efforts to win Ellensburg City Council Position 3 and if she wins, she will defer to the city of Ellensburg to appoint who will fill the seat.

On Tuesday, Nov. 2, Robles resigned from her position as Director of Equity and Inclusion effective immediately, according to a post on Ferndale School District Facebook page.

There was no explanation in the post as to why she resigned.

Winn was born in Ellensburg and moved to California when he was 2. He moved back to Ellensburg in 2009.

According to his website, Winn’s main priorities are city image, local economy and infrastructure.

City Council Position 2

Incumbent Nancy Goodloe holds a 26-vote lead over challenger Joshua Thompson, as of publication. This election is also still too close to call.

Goodloe has served on the city council since 2017. 

She told The Observer that she looks to continue her work with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission. One of Goodloe’s achievements so far is helping to create a process for the Affordable Housing Commission to request grant money. 

Thompson moved to Ellensburg five years ago and is running on the platform of helping recover Ellensburg’s economy following the pandemic.

According to Thompson’s website, some of his goals are to help small businesses flourish, increase access to affordable housing and increase traffic safety.

City Council Position 1

Incumbent Nancy Lillquist holds a 718-vote lead over challenger Kip Storey, making the election out of reach for Storey. Lillquist has served on the city council since 2001.

In an interview with The Observer last week, Lillquist is focused on getting fast and reliable internet to the entire community. She said one of her proudest achievements so far is changing the way Ellensburg designs its neighborhood.

Updated election results can be found (here).