Horton leads pack of Port candidates

Preliminary results from the Kitsap County Auditor’s office Tuesday night had former Bremerton Mayor Lynn Horton handily leading the trio of candidates vying for Cheryl Kincer’s commissioner seat.

As of 8:15 p.m, Horton led each of her opponents by at least 10 points with 49.6 percent to Roger Zabinski’s 28.4 percent and Gene Hart’s 20.3 percent.

“I’m happy,” Bremerton resident Horton said, explaining that she was “a little surprised by the margin, but I’ll take it.”

Chico resident Roger Zabinski said Horton had the “name recognition, but I’m a little surprised (at the results), because she hasn’t been to a single port meeting.”

Zabinski said he believed he was still a good fit for the position, and he was looking forward to November.

When told the results, Bremerton resident Gene Hart said: “I guess that’s what name recognition will get you.”

The top two candidates will face off again in November’s general election.

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