HILO — In a crowded race for an open seat, two County Council District 7 candidates seemed headed to a runoff in the Nov. 6 general election.
With just two of four precincts reporting late Saturday, Rebecca Shute Villegas, with 907 votes, or 37.04 percent, was leading Kelly Drysdale, who had 753 votes, or 30.75 percent. The two will likely square off to determine who will represent Kona on the council.
Two other candidates, Bronsten Kossow, with 562 votes, or 22.95 percent, and Cynthia Nazara, with 227 votes, or 9.27 percent, appeared to be heading for elimination in a nail-biter that went until after press time.
“I am extremely grateful and humbled by the vote of confidence from my community,” Villegas said.
To win outright, a candidate would need 50 percent plus one vote of all votes cast in the nonpartisan contest.
“We are just sitting here, fingers crossed,” Drysdale said, noting that Kossow could still overtake her. “We’re just hoping to get to the general.”
Kossow spent the most in his bid for the seat, as of July 27 spending $8,574 to Villegas’ $6,689 and Drysdale’s $4,694. He’d also picked up some major labor union endorsements.
The seat is being vacated by Councilman Dru Kanuha, who is running for state Senate.
Villegas, 44, Kailua-Kona, runs her own event marketing business, after 14 years as Hawaii marketing manager for Kona Brewing Co. She has a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Drysdale, 59, of Kailua-Kona, moved to the area to help her parents manage their restaurants, Don Drysdale’s Club 53 and Drysdale’s Two in the Keauhou Shopping Center. She holds a degree in radio and TV communications from San Diego State University and currently works as director of logistics for Kona Coffee & Tea Co.
Kossow, 24, of Holualoa, is a graduate of Makua Lani Christian Academy and is currently working toward a political science degree at the University of Hawaii. He works as a flight coordinator for Paradise Helicopters.
Nazara, 70, of Kailua-Kona, is a cultural monitor coordinator for the Queen Kaahumanu construction project and president of Kona Hawaiian Civic Club. She attended Rhema Bible Training College and is currently pursuing a degree in anthropology online through Southwestern University.
Homelessness was a big issue during the campaign for all the candidates, although they differed on how to best address the issue.
The district includes part of Kealakekua, Kona Scenic Subdivision, Kainaliu, Honalo, Keauhou, Kahaluu, Holualoa, Kona Hillcrest, Pualani Estates, Sunset View, Kuakini Heights, Kona Vistas, Alii Heights, Kona Industrial and Lono Kona.