Local incumbents ruled the ballots during the Aug. 18 primary, each apparently winning their respective races and headed for November’s general election according to unofficial results reported by King and Snohomish counties.
In Bothell, incumbent City Councilman Del Spivey has a comfortable lead over his likely challenger, Gerry Gawne.
According to the latest results available as of deadline for this issue, Spivey had gathered 1,455 King County votes, or 56 percent, compared to Gawne’s 991 votes, or 38 percent.
For the portions of Bothell in Snohomish County, Spivey was ahead with 1,079 votes, or 49 percent, while Gawne had attracted 895 ballots, 40.9 percent.
Finishing third and out of the running for November was candidate Jeffrey Bogdan. Among King County voters Bogdan had gathered 138 votes, 5.3 percent. In Snohomish, his tally was 165 votes or 7.5 percent.
Spivey did not return a request for comment following the primary. During the campaign, he talked about the rebuilding of downtown Bothell as one of his highest priorities.
“We’re laying a base for it… I’d like to see some conclusion,” said Spivey, who is seeking his second term on council.
“I’m surprised and I’m thrilled,” Gawne said of the primary results.
Gawne described Spivey as a “good man,” well known and, obviously, the incumbent. With that all that in mind, Gawne feels his showing at the polls was more than respectable.
Gawne also stated he didn’t raise or spend nearly as much money in the primary as did Spivey.
In November, Bothell voters will decide a total of four expiring seats, including that held by Spivey. Other council members up for re-election are Sandy Guinn, Joshua Freed and Patrick Ewing.
Their challengers are, respectively, Tom Agnew, Joyce Wojcik and Jennifer Armenta.
Like Bothell, Kenmore had only one City Council primary, and, with voting contained to King County, the incumbent will go into the fall election having garnered 1,807 votes, or 52.3 percent.
“I appreciate the support of the voters and am grateful to have won over 50 percent of the vote in a three-way race,” said Councilwoman Laurie Sperry. “I look forward to continuing to make Kenmore one the best places to live in America.”
If results hold, Sperry will face challenger Diane Brennan in the fall. Brennan earned 943 votes, or 27.3 percent.
“The message that I hear from Kenmore residents is that the city does not listen to them, the city has not moved forward in the last 10 years and residents are not seeing a good return on their tax dollars in the form of infrastructure improvements,” Brennan said. “We can do better. We need to have higher expectations from our public servants.”
Resident Bob Black finished the balloting behind Sperry and Brennan, earning 693 votes, 20 percent.
Besides the likely Sperry/Brennan showdown, Kenmore voters also will decide between incumbent Councilman Allan Van Ness and challenger Patrick O’Brien. One other “race” for Kenmore Council already is decided.
Councilman Randy Eastwood chose not to run for re-election, but only one person filed for the expiring seat. Barring some unforeseen circumstance, resident Bob Hensel will join Kenmore’s City Council next year.
The third local primary was a four-way battle for the District 1 seat on the Northshore School Board, a seat that like the Bothell council race involves voters in King and Snohomish counties.
In King, incumbent Sue Buske held a slight lead earning 3,906 votes, 33.9 percent, compared to her all but certain fall challenger Julia Lacey’s tally of 3,770 ballots, 32.7 percent.
Among Snohomish County voters, the tally was not as close, with Buske taking 1,903 votes, 33.8 percent, as opposed to Lacey’s 1,544 or 27.4 percent.
“I just want to thank all of my supporters for having a great show of confidence in me,” Buske said. “I will continue to work diligently on the school board and volunteer in the community.”
“I am thrilled with the primary results and happy to be one step closer to representing the community as a school board director,” Lacey said. “For now, I will continue to meet with concerned citizens to listen to their ideas and learn more about the issues affecting our district.”
Finishing behind Buske and Lacey were candidates Arthur Hu and Jeff Wirrick. In King, Hu was earning 2,251 ballots, 19.5 percent, while Wirrick was finishing last with 1,550 votes, or 13.4 percent.
In Snohomish, Hu earned 1,163 votes, 20.6 percent, while Wirrick had 881 votes, 15.6 percent.
Bothell, Kenmore and Woodinville voters will decide one other school district race in November. Incumbent Cathy Swanson is being challenged by candidate Todd Banks for the District 5 seat.
As in the case of Kenmore City Council, one school board election was essentially over before it started. Incumbent Gene Hawkridge chose not to run for re-election to the District 4 seat, setting the stage for candidate Sandy Hayes, the only person to file to run for the vacant slot.
