There’s a new leader in this closely-watched Tri-Cities race — but it’s still a tight one
Late voters have elevated Republican Eric Eisinger into the lead in the open race for Benton County prosecutor.
Eisinger was trailing fellow Republican Ryan Lukson on election night, and then again on Wednesday by 605 votes.
But votes tabulated Thursday gave Eisinger a 1,300-vote swing, and he now leads by 668 votes.
Here’s where vote totals are currently at:
- Eisinger has 50.11%, or 25,532 votes.
- Lukson has 48.8%, or 24,864 votes.
- Write-in ballots total 558, or 1.1%.
- A total 50,954 have voted in this election.
“Nothing is guaranteed. We’re going to be watching this closely, but we’re feeling pretty good at this point, “ Eisinger told the Tri-City Herald on Thursday afternoon, characterizing the swing as “dramatic.”
Benton County elections officials estimate there are about 13,000 outstanding votes that need to be counted. Officials have tallied 56,955 ballots countywide so far.
Turnout in Benton County is tabulated at 60% so far and is on track to reach 2018 midterm levels, which hit 69%.
Elections Manager Amanda Hatfield said they’re currently checking the signatures of ballots that were turned in on on Tuesday. That’s one of the first steps they take before scanning and tabulating a voter’s ballot.
Hatfield said they saw a noticeable surge of late voters this cycle, both in-person and by mail. Mailed ballots are allowed to be counted as long as they’re postmarked by election day.
Benton County could finish tabulating most ballots cast in the Nov. 8 election by Monday, Nov. 14,, with a few trickling in until certification on Nov. 29.
The next tabulation was expected to be posted at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Elections officials took Friday off for Veterans Day, a federal holiday.
Republican vs Republican
It’s Republican versus Republican in the race to replace Benton County Prosecutor Andy Miller, a Democrat who’s served in the office for 36 years.
Eisinger, 46, is a partner with Richland-based law firm Walker Heye PLLC. He has practiced law for about 19 years, and was a prosecutor for Yakima County, Lewis County and the city of Kennewick for several years.
He’s spent the last 12 years in private practice, mostly as a trial attorney in civil and criminal law.
Lukson, 40, is an assistant chief deputy prosecutor under Miller, who has endorsed him as his preferred successor.
Lukson has worked in the office for 11 years, with a background in corporate law. He also serves as a Richland councilman, and was mayor during the first two years of COVID.
The elected county prosecutor is the county’s chief law enforcement official, serving as the decision maker on prosecuting felony crimes and misdemeanors, as well as legal counsel for the Benton County Commission and county department.
The Benton County prosecutor manages 63 employees, including 32 criminal and civil attorneys, and is paid about $203,000.
The official also oversees a biennium budget of more than $16 million that’s spent on salaries, programs, domestic violence programs and drug task force work.
This story was originally published November 10, 2022 at 7:09 PM.
