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YAKIMA, Wash. -- Additional ballots counted Wednesday reversed scores in city council races in Sunnyside and Grandview, but otherwise did little to change results in most races.
Counting of late arriving ballots will continue today at the Yakima County Auditor's Office.
Among new developments Wednesday:
Sunnyside
Newly counted ballots gave incumbent Theresa Hancock enough votes to catch and surpass challenger Jason Raines for the Sunnyside City Council District 1 seat. Hancock now leads Raines 525-505, or 50.6 percent to 48.7 percent. The slim margin does not surprise Hancock, a 51-year-old liquor store and gift shop owner.
"I knew it would be a close race," she said. She has been on the council since 2005.
On Tuesday night, Raines, a 34-year-old retired Army captain and McDonald's employee, led Hancock by a single vote.
Grandview
The Grandview City Council race between saw Larry Bolan, who was leading Tuesday, fell behind Javier Rodriguez. Bolan was ahead by five votes election night. But after Wednesday's count he fell three votes behind Rodriguez. The count now stands at 357-354, or 49.9 percent to 49.5 percent.Both men are vying for the seat being vacated by Jan McDonald.
Toppenish
Robert Thomas said Wednesday he won't accept a seat on the Toppenish City Council despite results that show him handily winning.
Citing continued physical problems for an old work-related injury, the 50-year-old construction worker withdrew his candidacy early this fall.
While unofficial results show Thomas capturing nearly 56 percent of votes, he said he's not taking the job. Unofficial results late Tuesday showed him ahead of opponent James Schmidt 201 to 152 votes.
If he doesn't take the position, he'll have to resign and the City Council will appoint someone, said Yakima County Elections Manager Kathy Fisher.
Thomas said he continues to suffer headaches and spinal problems from his injury that occurred on the job in 2006.
"I can't really accept that position," he said Wednesday. "That's the way it goes."
Schmidt said he's still interested in the post and would apply for the appointment if Thomas wins and resigns.
Schmidt said he's not surprised by the support Thomas garnered.
"A lot of people know me around town and I'm pretty outspoken and not everyone likes that," Schmidt said.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This report has been updated to correct errors contained in the Grandview City Council race.
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