Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson winning big

Published 11:36 pm Tuesday, November 3, 2009

EVERETT — Everett voters apparently are in the mood for experience, not change.

Mayor Ray Stephanson, as well as two incumbent city councilmen, Arlan Hatloe and Paul Roberts, were leading their respective races Tuesday night.

Returns showed Stephanson well ahead of opponent Jim Johnson, a mortgage loan officer who based his campaign on an unfunded plan to offer cash incentives to area students. Stephanson had nearly 75 percent of the 10,533 votes counted.

Hatloe had a healthy lead with 59 percent of the vote over music teacher Jackie Minchew with 39 percent, while Roberts led software entrepreneur Katie Duke 58 percent to 41 percent. About 10,000 votes were cast in each of those races.

“I’m excited about the future,” Stephanson said.

Stephanson spent most of the evening at his Rucker Avenue home with family. His 8-year-old granddaughter Quinn gave him a hug and said, “Good luck, gramps.” The family hovered around the computer waiting for the results. When they finally came, his wife kissed him and his children said, “Way to go, Dad.”

In the only city position without an incumbent, Everett native Jeffrey Moore’s 62 percent was leading attorney John Flowers’ 37 percent.

Moore’s name may be familiar to many long-time Everett voters. His father, Bill Moore, served as Everett’s mayor for three terms beginning in 1977.

Even before the votes were tallied, Moore, a finance director for the Everett School District, appeared to be finding his place in local politics. Councilmen Roberts and Hatloe joined the political newcomer at an election night party at Buck’s American Cafe in Everett.

Tuesday night the cafe was packed with friends, family and supporters. Moore waited nervously by the front door sipping a class of wine.

At just after 8 p.m. supporter Gary Weikel, the former Snohomish County deputy executive, stepped outside to clutch a phone to his ear and scribble down the first results. He stepped back inside and someone wolf-whistled to quiet the room.

Weikel read the results and each one was greeted by applause, handshakes and pats on the back around the room. The initial results were largely good for the candidates who gathered at this party.

All Moore could say: “I’m excited about the opportunity to lead.”

Everett, a city of 101,800 people, is in better shape than some, but its leaders still face a daunting list of challenges: empty storefronts, shrinking revenues with a half-billion dollar budget and a delayed Riverfront project that could reshape the city with its shops, restaurants and homes.

Whether voters craved experience or were simply wowed by good fundraising and a spending blitz isn’t clear. All the apparent winners outspent their opponents.

Hatloe, for instance, raised $42,350 to Minchew’s $10,855, according to the Public Disclosure Commission. Duke reported raising nothing as did Johnson.

“It’s kind of a long shot,” Flowers said of his chances Tuesday afternoon. “My opponent spent 10 times as much money. It’s hard to win when you’re outspent 10 to 1. Unusual things can happen.”

Debra Smith: 425-339-3197, dsmith@heraldnet.com.