Jerry Cornfield

Abortion rights protesters fill all four corners of the intersection in front of the Everett Planned Parenthood in support of abortion rights on Saturday, July 9, 2022 (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

GOP cheered abortion ruling. Democrats responded by voting.

A swell of electoral support for Democrats pushed turnout higher in primary. Republicans look to adjust for November

Abortion rights protesters fill all four corners of the intersection in front of the Everett Planned Parenthood in support of abortion rights on Saturday, July 9, 2022 (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State Representative Robert Sutherland, left, gives a thumbs-up to passing drivers as he and a few volunteers wave flags and campaign signs along the side of State Route 9 on July 22, in Lake Stevens. Sam Low, right, talks with seniors on July 20 in Lake Stevens. (Sutherland photo by Ryan Berry / The Herald, Low photo by Kevin Clark / The Herald)

In GOP battle of Sutherland vs. Low, Democrats may tip the scale

The state lawmaker and Snohomish County council member are vying for a House seat. Democrats make up roughly 40% of the vote.

State Representative Robert Sutherland, left, gives a thumbs-up to passing drivers as he and a few volunteers wave flags and campaign signs along the side of State Route 9 on July 22, in Lake Stevens. Sam Low, right, talks with seniors on July 20 in Lake Stevens. (Sutherland photo by Ryan Berry / The Herald, Low photo by Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Vote-by-mail ballots are shown in sorting trays, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, at the King County Elections headquarters in Renton, Wash., south of Seattle. Washington state has offered voting by mail since 2011. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Data mistake briefly misreported some Snohomish County primary tallies

When uploaded to the state’s website, a precinct got tallied twice, throwing the numbers off. The error was quickly fixed.

Vote-by-mail ballots are shown in sorting trays, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, at the King County Elections headquarters in Renton, Wash., south of Seattle. Washington state has offered voting by mail since 2011. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
State Representative Robert Sutherland, left, gives a thumbs-up to passing drivers as he and a few volunteers wave flags and campaign signs along the side of State Route 9 on July 22, in Lake Stevens. Sam Low, right, talks with seniors on July 20 in Lake Stevens. (Sutherland photo by Ryan Berry / The Herald, Low photo by Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Republicans Sutherland, Low locked in tight primary battle

Meanwhile, Everett and Marysville voters were backing Democrats for two open state House seats.

State Representative Robert Sutherland, left, gives a thumbs-up to passing drivers as he and a few volunteers wave flags and campaign signs along the side of State Route 9 on July 22, in Lake Stevens. Sam Low, right, talks with seniors on July 20 in Lake Stevens. (Sutherland photo by Ryan Berry / The Herald, Low photo by Kevin Clark / The Herald)
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4 things to watch for in Tuesday’s unpredictable primary election

Republicans are dueling one another for legislative and congressional seats — and spending big against incumbents.

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Election

PACs spend $1.3 million in primary to sway Snohomish County voters

The dollar figure will rise before the election Tuesday. Read the fine print: Hit pieces aren’t directly from the candidates.

Election
From top: Jordan M. Sears, Ken Maertens and Tanya Olson. Photo of Snohomish County PUD by Sue Misao / The Herald

2 challengers for veteran member of Snohomish PUD board

Tanya Olson is seeking a fourth term. Jordan Sears, a Gold Bar council member, and Ken Maertens, engineer, want the job too.

From top: Jordan M. Sears, Ken Maertens and Tanya Olson. Photo of Snohomish County PUD by Sue Misao / The Herald
Top: Robert Sutherland (left) and Claus Joens. Bottom: Karl de Jong (left) and Sam Low.

Dynamic duel: Republicans Sutherland and Low square off in primary

The incumbent lawmaker and county councilman are a contrast of styles, with many parallels in actual policy.

Top: Robert Sutherland (left) and Claus Joens. Bottom: Karl de Jong (left) and Sam Low.
Top: Carolyn Eslick (left) and Jessica Wadhams. Bottom: Tyller Boomgaarden (left) and Kathryn Lewandowski.

Eslick faces 3 foes and new voters in bid for another House term

In the 39th District, a Democrat, a Republican and an Independent are trying to oust the two-term GOP incumbent.

Top: Carolyn Eslick (left) and Jessica Wadhams. Bottom: Tyller Boomgaarden (left) and Kathryn Lewandowski.
Everett

Everett Herald journalists launch effort to unionize

Sound Publishing plans to respond by the end of the week.

Everett
Justin Blasko

Blasko to resign, get nearly $396K in severance with Monroe schools

The embattled superintendent exits weeks after a scathing report found his conduct created a toxic work environment.

Justin Blasko
Election

Open seats, intraparty battles add intrigue to Aug. 2 primary

Ballots are to be mailed Thursday. Turnout in Snohomish County is expected to be around 35%.

Election
April Berg

Berg: Confrontation with campaign worker was racial, not political

A campaign field director, who is Black, videotaped as a white man told him to leave neighborhood: “I don’t want you here.”

April Berg
Mill Creek City Councilmember Mark Bond

Want to serve on Mill Creek City Council? There’s an opening

Mark Bond, who served on the council for 18 years, left in June. Those wishing to succeed him have until Aug. 19 to apply.

Mill Creek City Councilmember Mark Bond
Martin McFalls (Marysville Fire District)

Marysville fire chief put on leave reaches deal, agrees to retire

Martin McFalls led the agency since 2015. “The board felt it was time to go a different direction. No harm, no foul.”

Martin McFalls (Marysville Fire District)
Rep. Robert Sutherland at a "March For Our Rights" rally in Olympia in 2019. (Washington State House Republicans)

Judge dismisses GOP lawmakers’ challenge of House vax rule

Rep. Robert Sutherland and five colleagues fought a requirement barring access to the House floor unless vaccinated

Rep. Robert Sutherland at a "March For Our Rights" rally in Olympia in 2019. (Washington State House Republicans)
Cassie Friedle spoke in favor of Edmonds City Council's resolution supporting reproductive rights in the city on Tuesday July 5. (Screenshot)

Edmonds affirms support for reproductive rights in wake of Roe ruling

City Council passed a resolution urging access to abortion be carved into the state and U.S. constitutions.

Cassie Friedle spoke in favor of Edmonds City Council's resolution supporting reproductive rights in the city on Tuesday July 5. (Screenshot)
Jeffrey Vaughan

In unexpected move, Vaughan resigns from Marysville council

He got re-elected in November. But he and his wife moved to Texas when she received a job promotion.

Jeffrey Vaughan
Sandra Oleson, center, holds up a “Protect Our Rights” sign and shouts for support from passing vehicles during a protest against the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday, June 24, 2022, along Broadway in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Biden assures Inslee of federal support to preserve abortion access

In the wake of Roe v. Wade’s overturning, the president and nine Democrat governors swapped strategies Friday.

Sandra Oleson, center, holds up a “Protect Our Rights” sign and shouts for support from passing vehicles during a protest against the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday, June 24, 2022, along Broadway in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, left, gets the first shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, from Elizabeth Smalley, right, a medical assistant at a Sea Mar Community Health Center in Olympia, Wash. Inslee's wife Trudi also received the first dose of the vaccine. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Governor wants to make vaccine mandate permanent for new hires

Jay Inslee also wants to require current and future state employees keep up with their shots, if they want to keep their jobs.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, left, gets the first shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, from Elizabeth Smalley, right, a medical assistant at a Sea Mar Community Health Center in Olympia, Wash. Inslee's wife Trudi also received the first dose of the vaccine. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)