By Chris Thew
Chronicle staff

     All but one of the incumbents in the May 3 primary election for the Colville Business Council will move forward to the general election in June, according to certified election results released May 8.
     The general election is June 14.
     Ted Bessette, incumbent for Omak District position No. 2, finished third, within five votes of second place.
     Ernie Williams held a commanding lead in the primary after poll ballots were counted May 5 and expanded that lead in absentee votes. His 176 total votes (81 from absentee voters) put him in first.
     Cary Tonasket will take the second spot on the ballot in June with 108 total votes (71 absentees). Bessette finished the contest with 103 total votes (51 absentee votes).
     Other candidates James McCuen, 93 votes (53 absentee); Shirley Charley, 92 (64); Cody Miller, 77 (30), and Melanie Torrence, 57 (23).
     Mike Marchand, Colville Business Council chairman and incumbent for Omak District position No. 1, overcame a second place showing after poll voting to take the lead and move to the general election.
     Marchand received 267 total votes, including 168 from absentee voters.
     Carleen Anderson was the only other candidate to receive triple-digit numbers. Anderson received 246 votes, including 137 votes from absentee voters, to into the general election.
     Bryon Miller followed with 87 votes (30), Susan Edwards-Best received 71 votes (25), and Dwayne Paul finished with 40 votes (16).
     In the Nespelem District, position No. 1 incumbent Brian Nissen, finished a close race with only four votes separating first and second places. Nissen received 151 votes to the 147 votes for Harvey Moses Jr.
     Totals dropped off after the two candidates who will face off in June. Other candidates were Sheilah Cleveland, 82 (56); David Clark Sr., 57 (39); D'Arcy La-Lix Tatshama, 57 (25); Sophie Dick-Nomee, 34 (7), and Brian Timentwa, 28 (12).
     Gene Joseph, incumbent for Nespelem's second seat, took a commanding lead after the first count and showed that he is the one to beat after the final tally by nearly out-polling all other candidates combined.
     Joseph received 267 votes, including 166 absentee votes. Charlene BearCub, who received 133 votes (63 absentee) will face Joseph in the general election.
     Preston Boyd and Eldon Wilson followed with 86 (58) and 70 votes (45), respectively.
     In the Keller District primary, incumbent Jeanne Jerred defeated the field with 94 votes (72 absentee votes), and will face Billie Jo Bray, who edged out Lee Adolph for second place, 37-35.
     Bray was in third with 19 votes to Adolph's 28 before absentee votes were counted.
     There was no primary in the Inchelium District.