Strickler trailing Comfort for Richland School Board

Richland School Board President Phyllis Strickler was trailing challenger Gordon Comfort by about 200 votes in the first results released in Tuesday’s election.

And challengers Jill Oldson and Brett Amidan were in a tight battle for an open seat on the board.

Strickler had 3,562 votes, or nearly 49 percent, while Comfort, a former Richland High School principal, had 3,769, or about 51 percent. Both candidates acknowledged that it was too close to say who could win.

Comfort said Strickler has served the board well and while he would be disappointed to lose, thinks “the district is positioned for some change” regardless of who wins.

Oldson had 3,657 votes, or just over 50 percent, to Amidan’s 3,533 votes, or 49 percent. Both are vying for the seat currently held by board member Mary Guay, who did not seek re-election.

“It could waver in either direction pretty easily,” Oldson said.

“It’s tough to come up with words knowing it’s so close,” Amidan said.

Board member Rick Donahoe had a healthy lead over challenger Ron Higgins. Donahoe had 4,128 votes, or 57 percent, to Higgins’ 3,084 votes, or nearly 43 percent.

Donahoe said he appreciates Higgins’ passion for education but the incumbent is already looking forward to another term, noting that he’s focused on closing the district’s achievement gap between its most and least advantaged students.

“That’s my mantra for the next four years,” Donahoe said.

More than 19,700 ballots have been counted with about 15,000 left to be counted countywide.

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 8:30 PM with the headline "Strickler trailing Comfort for Richland School Board."