Hoquiam voters have given longtime City Councilman Ben Winkelman a big lead in the race for mayor against incumbent Jasmine Dickhoff.

After the first round of ballots were counted Tuesday, Winkelman, an attorney and business owner, had 648 votes to Dickhoff’s 483, a lead of 57.04% to 42.52%. There were five write-in votes. In Hoquiam, 1,230 ballots were returned, 23% of the 5,443 registered voters in the city.

“I like those first numbers and appreciate all the support I got from the community,” said Winkelman, who was heading back from the Hoquiam Grizzlies’ girls district soccer game when he learned of the election results.

“It was fun to be there with family and friends and get the results on the drive back,” he said.

Dickhoff said she was “disappointed” with the results, but knew it would be a tough battle against her opponent.

“We’re just going to wait and see,” she said.