EVERETT — Snohomish County Executive John Lovick appeared headed for a face-off against County Council Chairman Dave Somers in November, initial results from Tuesday’s primary showed.
That’s if things don’t change. The current totals amount to a little over half the county’s projected primary turnout.
Lovick led the five-candidate field, with 32.9 percent of the 60,544 votes counted.
“I think it looks great,” said Lovick, who was celebrating with other Democrats at the Anchor Pub in Everett. “I’m humbled by the vote. I’m humbled by the support.”
Somers, also a Democrat, garnered 31.4 percent of the total. He trailed Lovick by 896 votes.
“I’m extremely happy with those numbers,” said Somers, who was at home near Monroe as the results rolled in. “I knew it would be a tough one getting into the general election.”
The front-runners promised robust debates in the months to come. The contest for executive was the only countywide race on Tuesday’s ballot. The top two candidates will compete in the Nov. 3 general election.
In third place for executive was Republican Robert Sutherland of Granite Falls, who trailed Somers by 3,023 votes. His 16,009 votes accounted for 26.4 percent of the primary-night total.
Lynnwood attorney James Robert Deal, who listed no party preference, drew 3,178 votes for 5.3 percent of the total.
Republican Norm Nunnally of Marysville was last with 1,792 votes and about 3 percent of the total.
Tuesday’s returns amounted to 14.5 percent of the 420,529 ballots issued.
County officials hoped local turnout would meet or exceed the 26 percent that Secretary of State Kim Wyman projected statewide.
The county auditor expects to release updated ballot counts after 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.
Lovick was appointed executive in mid-2013 following the resignation of his scandal-prone predecessor Aaron Reardon. Lovick won a special election last year to fill out the final year of Reardon’s unexpired term.
He’s now competing for a four-year term in office. The post pays $161,114 per year.
Somers supported Lovick’s appointment. Over the past year, though, the two leaders have clashed over budget questions, Lovick’s decision to award raises to several top managers, and oversight of the troubled courthouse project.
Lovick, a retired state trooper who lives in Mill Creek, was twice elected county sheriff before becoming executive. He earlier served multiple terms in the state House of Representatives and on the Mill Creek City Council.
Somers, who lives near Monroe, is in his fourth term on the County Council. Before entering politics, he worked as a fisheries biologist for the Tulalip Tribes.
Lovick enjoys the backing of Realtors and unions, including the AFSCME affiliate that represents most county government employees.
Despite only entering the race in May, Somers has doubled Lovick’s fundraising totals, with support from environmentalists, home-builders and aerospace interests.
The Somers campaign raised nearly $89,000 by Tuesday afternoon, the state Public Disclosure Commission reported. Lovick had a little over $43,000. Sutherland followed with $8,100, roughly two-thirds of it loans and other contributions he made to his own campaign.
The primary also is serving as a barometer of a fiercely contested county council race.
Incumbent Councilman Brian Sullivan’s 53.9 percent of the initial count led challenger Greg Tisdel’s 44.7 percent. Sullivan had an advantage of 871 votes.
The race appeared on the primary ballot, despite having only two candidates, because it’s a partisan contest. Both Sullivan and Tisdel live in Everett and are running as Democrats.
Until now, it had been unclear how Sullivan’s name recognition from a career in politics would fare against the swell of support Tisdel has received from builders and other local business interests. Sullivan is a former Mukilteo mayor and state lawmaker who was first elected to the council in 2007. Tisdel, who ran Tiz’s Doors until closing it in 2011, has never held public office, but he’s been active in civic causes and government advisory boards.
They’re competing for council District 2, which covers Everett, Mukilteo and Tulalip, as well as nearby unincorporated areas.
County Councilwoman Stephanie Wright of Lynnwood also appeared on the primary ballot, but faced no challenger. Wright, a Democrat, represents District 3, which covers Edmonds, Lynnwood, Woodway and nearby unincorporated areas.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.
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