Coursey concedes, Coston wins Washougal mayoral race

Washougal City Councilman Dan Coursey has called Molly Coston to concede the mayoral race and congratulate her on her election victory.

“It was a hard-fought campaign on both sides, but I look forward to working with Molly, and for great things to happen here in Washougal under her leadership,” Coursey said Thursday, after calling Coston.

“Washougal is a great place, and there will be opportunities to make things better in the future,” he added. “I will cheer our new city mayor on and help as best as I am able.”

As of Thursday, Coston has received 1,574 votes (54.39 percent), and Coursey received 1,230 votes (42.5 percent). Paul Godin, 41, a declared write-in candidate, received 90 votes (3.11 percent).

Coursey, 63, will continue to serve on the city council. His current term is in effect through Dec. 31, 2019.

Coston, 69, served on the Washougal City Council from June of 2005 through December of 2011.

She replaces outgoing Mayor Sean Guard on Jan. 1, 2018. Guard withdrew his bid for a third-term as Washougal’s mayor in May, after police said they were investigating harassment allegations against the mayor. In August, the Washington State Patrol completed their investigation and forwarded possible solicitation of a prostitute charges against Guard to the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s office. That office has not yet filed charges against the Washougal mayor, and has not returned calls from this newspaper regarding possible charges in the future.

Final results for the Nov. 7, 2017 election will be certified on Nov. 28.