WEST BEND,OR – Rhett Engelking emerged victorious in the West Bend District 2 alderman election on Tuesday night, narrowly defeating his opponent, Micheal Hartwell, by just 31 votes. The unofficial results, which were released Tuesday evening, show a tight race between the two candidates, with Engelking securing a slim but decisive lead.

While the results are preliminary and still subject to a canvassing process, Engelking’s win marks a key moment in the local political landscape. The election, which drew significant attention from residents of District 2, is seen as an important choice for the future direction of the district.

Full and official election results are expected to be published in Thursday’s edition of the local newspaper, providing further details on voter turnout and other election metrics.

Engelking’s victory is a reflection of his support among District 2 voters, though the narrow margin suggests that Hartwell was a strong contender throughout the campaign. The race’s close outcome is likely to spark continued discussions on the issues that matter most to the district’s residents.

As is customary, the results will remain unofficial until the vote is canvassed, at which point any changes to the totals will be finalized.