In the aftermath of the election Tuesday, Duncan Macfarlane readily conceded his defeat, congratulating Lynn Smith on her impending victory as she took the lion’s share of votes in initial returns for the Bainbridge Island District 1 school board race.

Smith sped ahead with 69 percent of the vote, while Macfarlane trailed behind with just 30 percent.

Macfarlane was disappointed, but grateful for the opportunity to participate in the election, he said.

“So many people have come up to me and thanked me for running,” he explained. “They told me they voted, told me why they voted, that they appreciate my perspective, that they feel that I would be of value on the board, that they really appreciated that I would step up and do that.”

Macfarlane was in a positive place when he found out the news Tuesday night, sharing that he had just come home from a Cub Scout den meeting.

While Macfarlane would have liked to work on some of the bigger, overarching issues facing the board – like the McCleary decision – he’s hopeful the school board will continue to tackle them without him.

“I wish Lynn and the board all the success as they take on the challenges that lie ahead,” he said.

Smith could not be immediately reached for comment on Election Night.