Gardner losing ground

Whatcom County Sheriff Dale Brandland, R-Bellingham widened his lead over democratic state senator Georgia Gardner during this week of ballot counting.

Gardner needs to claim 1,138 of the estimated 1,300 uncounted district 42 ballots to tie with Brandland, forcing a recount.

Gardner carried Bellingham, Custer, Semiahmoo and Blaine and split most Ferndale precincts with Brandland, but conservative areas like Lynden, Nooksack and Mountain View favored the republican.

Neither Gardner nor Brandland could be reached for comment..