LYNNWOOD — Mayor Don Gough was getting walloped by opponent Nicola Smith in preliminary election results released Tuesday evening.
Smith had 61.4 percent, or 2,076 votes. Gough had 1,284 votes, or just under 38 percent.
“I am really honored to be in this position and I’m very excited that the voters have entrusted me to move our city forward,” Smith said.
Gough, 60, has served two terms as mayor and was previously on the City Council. He’s been running a quiet, stay-the-course campaign.
He shared a brief statement just before the tallies dropped.
“The voters have spoken, and it’s now time for everyone to come together and focus on getting the important business of the citizens done in the future,” Gough wrote.
Smith, 54, is a dean at Edmonds Community College and a political newcomer. She’s been pushing the idea of “resetting” City Hall to be more responsive. Her Election Night party was held at the Mill Creek Lombardi’s Italian Restaurant, which is owned by outgoing councilwoman Kerri-Lonergan-Dreke.
Smith planned to meet with her boss at the community college on Wednesday to talk about her transition to the mayor’s office, she said.
Smith plans to begin building a transition team “and learning and learning and learning,” she said.
“The voters are ready for change,” she said. “It means a lot to me that they’ve entrusted me to move our city into a place of refreshing and resetting and building relationships in the city and the county.”
Gough’s often drawn scrutiny for his brusque manner. He’s also been navigating Lynnwood through a tough economic crisis. Gough has repeated throughout his campaign that he’s committed to following up on the city’s vision, which was laid out with residents’ input a couple of years back.
Smith has expressed support for a new city center in Lynnwood. She and the city both turn 55 next year, she said. Her areas of concern for the city have included development, affordable housing and transportation.
Ballots will continue to be counted for several days. At least 83,049 ballots had been counted by 8 p.m. Tuesday. The next tallies drop is planned for 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449, rking@heraldnet.com.
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