Bertha Clayton, Walla Walla County’s commissioner-elect, will take office in January (2024)

Bertha Clayton will be the next commissioner to represent Walla Walla County’s District 1.

Clayton leads incumbent Jenny Mayberry by about 4,500 votes with only 2,050 votes left to count, according to Walla Walla County election results updated Friday, Nov. 15.

Clayton had 15,479 votes, 58.3%, to Mayberry’s 11,022 votes, or 41.51%.

The results won’t be official until they’re certified on Tuesday, Nov. 26, but Mayberry won’t be able to overtake Clayton’s vote count with the ballots that remain.

Mayberry, a Republican, was elected to the office as a first-time candidate in 2020 and will have served one full term through December.

She is a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Walla Walla County Fire District No. 4 and co-owner of Hot Mama’s Espresso, a coffee shop with locations in Walla Walla and College Place.

She could not be reached for comment Monday, Nov. 18.

Clayton said Monday she was feeling overwhelming gratitude at the result.

“I am honored by the trust and support Walla Walla County voters have demonstrated, and I look forward to getting to work,” she said in an emailed statement.

Clayton said she has been attending commissioner meetings, committee meetings, community events and more since before she started her campaign. She said one of the challenges for the next set of commissioners will be getting the county into a stronger financial position.

“Currently, the county’s general operating fund is at its lowest balance ever. County revenue is down, and the cost of county operations continue to go up,” she said. “We have to get our 'county house' in order and not rely on taxpayers to rescue us.”

She also sees opportunities to strengthen partnerships with other local government entities and improve processes for customers in offices such as the Community Development Department, she said.

Clayton said she has met with the other two commissioners — Todd Kimball, who was reelected this year unopposed, and Gunner Fulmer — but is giving Mayberry the space to close out her term.

“I feel well-informed of county commissioner business, but I know there is still much to learn,” Clayton said. “I will attend a seminar for new commissioners in December and am anxious and enthusiastic to assume the duties of this office on Jan. 1."

Clayton works as an attorney and as the director of the Office of Agricultural and Seasonal Workforce Services for the Washington State Employment Security Department, the office that administers the state’s foreign labor program.

She previously said she would maintain that role at a modified and reduced schedule if elected.

Other election results

Friday's results reflected a total of 27,786 ballots counted — and a 72.6% turnout — with 2,050 ballots left. Walla Walla County next planned to update its results on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

As of Friday, the city of College Place’s request for a $14 million bond for a new police station was trailing by 89 votes.

The bond had 2,063 no votes, or 51.1%, to 1,974 yes votes, or 48.9%.

The levy lid lift for Walla Walla County Fire District. No. 8, which serves a portion of the county north of Walla Walla, including Dixie, had strong support.

If passed, the lid lift would raise the levy amount for the fire district to $1.10 per $1,000 of valuation. The levy currently sits at $0.66 per 1,000 of valuation.

The levy lift leads 297 yes votes, or 67.2% to 145 no votes, or 32.8%.

In the Legislative District 16 races, Republican incumbent leads didn’t shift much.

Republican State Sen. Perry Dozier continued to lead his Democratic challenger Kari Isaacson 63.7% to 36.3%, or 43,365 votes to 24,715 votes throughout the district.

In Walla Walla County, Dozier led 60.5% to 39.4%, or 16,197 votes to Isaacson’s 10,550 votes.

State House Position 1 incumbent Republican Rep. Mark Klicker’s led Democrat Linda Gunshefski also 64.8% to 35.2%, or 44,172 votes to 24,005 votes.

Walla Walla County voters backed Klicker 62.4% to 37.6%, or 16,762 votes to Gunshefski’s 10,101 votes.

In State House Position 2 race, incumbent Republican Rep. Skyler Rude led 66.1% to Democratic challenger Craig Woodard’s 33.8%, or 44,873 votes to 22,942 votes.

In Walla Walla County, Rude led 65% to 34.9%, or 17,337 votes to Woodard’s 9,310 votes.

Columbia County plans to update its results again Monday, Nov. 25, leaving the Columbia County Pool District Proposition 1 — which would allow a $200,000 excess levy to fund the Dayton Community Pool District, its restoration project and any annual maintenance required for the community pool once operational — unchanged. It was passing as of election night.

The Prescott Joint Park and Recreation levy was put to voters in both Walla Walla and Columbia counties. This $145,000 levy would cover upkeep in the Prescott Joint Park and Recreation District.

As of Friday, the levy led 216 yes votes, or 67.9% to 102 no votes, or 32.1%.