TACOMA — Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson on Thursday conceded defeat to Democrat Steve Hobbs in a tight race for Washington secretary of state, saying the campaign is over.
In an emailed statement, Anderson said she knew her bid to become Washington’s first nonpartisan secretary of state would be tough, but she believed it had to happen.
“Voters deserve to choose an experienced elections administrator — with no party affiliation,” Anderson said in a statement. “Although many voters made that choice, it was not enough.”
Anderson followed Hobbs after the first results of the ballot count were released Tuesday night. The tallies still show Hobbs with more than 49% of the vote and Anderson with nearly 47%.
Thousands of ballots continue to be counted. The Associated Press has not announced a winner in the race.
Hobbs, 52, was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee last November to replace Republican Secretary of State Kim Wyman after she took an election security job in the Biden administration.
Although his appointment marked the first time a Democrat had taken office since the mid-1960s, Hobbs had yet to face voters. That election determined who would serve the remaining two years of Wyman’s term.
“I have already called Secretary Hobbs to wish him the best as he leads this very important position,” Anderson said. “I am ready to help the Secretary of State’s office in any way possible. I ask all my fans to do the same.”
Anderson, 57, has been the Pierce County auditor for nearly 13 years.
