Close local races remain close

Close races remained close Wednesday after the latest Spokane County ballot totals were released this evening. But for some candidates who were counting on a big surge, the new numbers fell short. Democratic state Sen. Chris Marr, for example, conceded in a televised KHQ TV interview this evening that the 3,000-ballot lead held by his opponent, Republican challenger Michael Baumgartner, likely is too great to overcome. Two countywide races remain too close to draw any conclusions: the race for Spokane County Commission between incumbent Democrat Bonnie Mager and Republican Al French; and the race for Spokane County treasurer pitting incumbent Democrat Skip Chilberg against Republican Rob Chase.