EVERETT — In the latest vote tally released Wednesday evening, Republican Mike Hope maintained a narrow lead over Democratic state Rep. Liz Loomis in the hotly contested race for the 44th Legislative District.
Just 116 votes out of 66,435 cast separate the two candidates, a margin of 0.18 percent. If this were the final tally, that’s close enough to warrant a mandatory hand recount.
But not all of the votes are counted yet, and votes from military personnel and others overseas may come in as late as Nov. 24.
Snohomish County elections officials plan to post another updated ballot count Friday.
The latest figures released Wednesday come from a batch of about 10,000 ballots that were initially rejected by voting machines.
County elections employees, working in teams of two, made duplicate ballots to run through the county’s vote counting machine.
Hope now has 33,228 votes with Loomis close behind with 33,112.
On Election Day, Loomis led 53 percent to 47 percent and held a 2,139-vote advantage over Hope.
Loomis, the former mayor of Snohomish, was appointed to Position 2 in January to succeed former Rep. John Lovick, who is now the Snohomish County sheriff.
Hope, a Seattle police officer, lost to Rep. Hans Dunshee in 2004 and 2006.
Their contest is one of the most expensive among legislative races this year. More than $500,000 was raised and spent by the candidates, their political parties and independent political committees.
Loomis collected $321,000 in contributions compared with Hope’s $137,000.
In another close race, state Rep. Norma Smith, R-Clinton, is still ahead of Democrat Tim Knue by 480 votes, according to the latest figures available from the Washington secretary of state.
Election offices in Snohomish, Island and Skagit counties, where the district lies, are continuing to count votes.
Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429 or dchircop@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
