Olsen issues statement on election results

Vowing "I shall return," Republican candidate James M. Olsen has conceded the race to incumbent Rep. Drew Hansen in the battle for the District 23, Position 2 in the state House of Representatives.

Hansen, a Democrat from Bainbridge Island, had a sizable lead in the first vote tally on Election Night.

Hansen had a 19-point advantage and was winning with 59 percent of the vote.

"In this election the voters of the 23rd Legislative District had a bright-line choice between a business leader, me, or a trial lawyer, Mr. Hansen," Olsen said in an email to the Bainbridge Island Review.

"The voters have selected but the battle is enjoined over the greater issues of Olympia reform and downsizing," Olsen continued. "There is no question I have rung the bell for liberty and reform. I will double my efforts in the critical battle against the current money cycle of corruption: out-of-state special interest money combined with public-sector union pouring in to Democrat incumbents.

"While this tactical skirmish is lost, as General Douglas MacArthur famously said in the his retreat from the Philippines in March 1942, I shall return.

"As one Norwegian to another, I wish Mr. Hansen due speed in solving the Olympia dire fiscal crisis facing the people of the State of Washington," Olsen concluded.

Olsen, also a Bainbridge Island resident, was making his second attempt at a 23rd District seat.

He also lost in a 2010 bid for the House position.

A total of 41,822 ballots were counted in the race.

Hansen had 24,871 on Election Night, while Olsen collected 16,887.

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