ELECTION 2016: RESULTS • STORIES • DATA DASHBOARD
EVERETT — Sam Low enjoyed a slim lead Tuesday in his bid to trade his Lake Stevens City Council seat for a spot on the Snohomish County Council.
The Republican challenger was ahead of Councilman Hans Dunshee, a Democrat appointed to the seat this year, with 50.4 percent of the votes cast compared to Dunshee’s 49.5.
Low was encouraged, but cautious as he took in the election totals with other Republicans at the Snohomish Event Center.
“We’re pleased so far with the numbers. We’re happy with the results,” he said.
Dunshee was not immediately available for comment.
The Snohomish County Elections Division expected to release updated vote totals at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Low and Dunshee are competing for council District 5, the only non-judicial county office up for election this year. It’s a special one-year term in office, the remainder of the term Dave Somers left early after he was elected county executive last year. An election for the full four-year term is set for next year.
The district covers eastern Snohomish County, including the cities of Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Monroe, Sultan, Gold Bar, Index and part of Bothell, as well as in unincorporated areas such as Clearview, Machias and Maltby. More than 150,000 people live in the district.
Dunshee, 63, is a Snohomish resident who served for 20 years as a state House representative before being appointed to the county job this year.
Low, 46, was elected to the Lake Stevens City Council in 2013 and also runs a painting business.
Low’s election would change the balance on the council. Since 2008, Democrats have held four of the five seats.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.
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