Mitzi Johanknecht Wins King County Sheriff Race

SEATTLE, WA - King County Sheriff's Maj. Mitzi Johanknecht maintained her lead over incumbent Sheriff John Urquhart after the latest ballot count released Thursday. Johanknecht is leading Urquhart with 54.15 percent of the vote to his 45.85 percent. The results of the election will not be certified until the end of the month, but Johanknecht was declared sheriff-elect Thursday due to her wide lead over Urquhart.

Johanknecht came out ahead on election night with about 52 percent of the vote, but she widened her lead slightly after Wednesday's ballot drop. Urquhart, who was been the subject of sex assault allegations, has not conceded.

At his election night party at Shawn O'Donnell's American Grill and Irish Pub in Pioneer Square, Urquhart told his supporters, "Never say die."

If she wins, Johanknecht, 58, will be the first woman to lead the King County Sheriff's Office since Sue Rahr, who served from 2005 to 2012. She will be the first openly gay sheriff. Johanknecht has worked for the department for 32 years and was endorsed by The Seattle Times, NARAL Pro-choice Washington, and Ron Sims, the former King County executive.

Image via Mitzi For Sheriff