WATERVILLE — It was a squeaker here for one county commissioner and a “big win” for another.

Douglas County Commission incumbent Dale Snyder edged challenger Ed Daling by just 310 votes in Tuesday’s early election results, a slim margin considering an estimated 3,400 votes remain to be counted.

Meanwhile, three-term Commissioner Ken Stanton likely grabbed a fourth term with a solid showing against challenger Carol Kavanaugh.

“I’m feeling a lot better than if I was trailing,” said the 53-year-old Snyder, vying for a second term in his District 2 seat. “But things could change as more ballots come in. Right now, I’m cautiously optimistic.”

Snyder captured 51.8 percent (4,397 votes) of the vote to Daling’s 48.2 percent (4,087 votes). Both men are Waterville Republicans.

“Everything’s on hold until the next (vote) count on Friday,” said Daling, 64, a Waterville businessman. “We knew this election would be close, and we’re still hopeful. I’m an optimist, and I believe we’re still within striking distance.”

In the August primary, Daling edged incumbent Snyder by 0.5 percentage points.

In District 1, Stanton nabbed 56.39 percent (5,007 votes) of the vote to virtually assure a fourth term for the 63-year-old Republican. Challenger Kavanaugh took 43.61 percent (3,873 votes).

“This is a big win, a satisfying win against a tough challenger,” said Stanton. “But after 12 years in office, I think voters like what they see — a stable Douglas County — and want to keep that going.”

A Wenatchee-area real estate broker, Kavanaugh said, “The experience of running for public office has been an extraordinary challenge and would not have been possible for me had it not been for the devotion of our team.”

Top issues in both races for Douglas County included campaign financing, attracting new business and development and whether to house county prisoners in Okanogan or Chelan county jails.

Mike Irwin: 665-1179

irwin[AT]wenatcheeworld.com