A look back at south Snohomish County politics in 2016

By Evan Smith

Politics around south Snohomish County in 2016 was marked by continued Democratic domination of local legislative races, but there were other events to look back on.

They include passage of several local tax levies, selection of a new Mountlake Terrace city manager and continued work on consolidation of local fire service.

Democrats won all seven south Snohomish County legislative positions on the Nov. 8 ballot despite intraparty challenges in three of the contests.

In the 1st Legislative District, the retirement of Democratic State Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe set off a battle to replace her and another contest to replace State Rep. Luis Moscoso after Moscoso decided to run for the senate position.

Moscoso lost a close primary contest to fellow Democrat Guy Palumbo, who easily won election in November.

Moscoso’s unsuccessful primary bid for the senate brought four Democrats and a Republican into a contest to replace him. Democrat Shelley Kloba won the November election.

The third intraparty challenge came to Democratic 32nd District State Rep. Ruth Kagi, who defeated a fellow Democrat by a greater than 6-1 margin in the primary and went on to beat her Republican opponent by a nearly 3-1 margin in November. Kagi won despite not getting an endorsement from the 32nd District Democratic organization.

State Reps. Derek Stanford in the 1st District, Cindy Ryu in the 32nd District and Reps. Strom Peterson and Lillian Ortiz-Self all won re-election easily.

In February, voters in the Edmonds School District passed a $59 million four-year levy for technology improvements and upgrades to buildings and sports fields. In August, voters in Mountlake Terrace passed a levy-lid lift to allow a four-year levy to pay rent on city-hall space and a continuing levy to pay for parks and recreation. In November, voters in Lynnwood passed a sales-tax increase for transportation improvements and voters in Fire District 1 re-authorized a regular property-tax levy, but voters in Woodway defeated a levy to support police, fire and emergency medical services.

Mountlake Terrace’s new city manager is long-time assistant city manager Scott Hugill. The city Council hired Hugill in May.

Fire service consolidation moved ahead when Lynnwood and Fire District 1 began negotiating to write a proposal to form a regional fire authority.

The city and the fire district had taken a first step toward consolidation in July, when Lynnwood Fire Chief Scott Cockrum, a strong supporter of regional fire authorities, also became Fire District 1 chief as part of a combined administration.

Negotiation for the regional fire authority continued into 2017 despite Cockrum’s having resigned after taking family medical leave.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Jasmine Donahue talks about being a place for people leave messages when looking for family members, friends or loved ones on the street on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett extends deadline for homeless service facing closure

Hope ‘N Wellness must now comply with city zoning laws by April 30. The organization is “grateful,” its owner said, but still hopes for a permanent solution.

New Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce CEO CEO Wendy Poischbeg speaks at a kick off event on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Everett Rising’: Wednesday’s chamber luncheon to showcase a new era of growth.

The Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce is beginning its efforts… Continue reading

The Edmonds School District building on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds School District faces estimated $8.5 million deficit

The shortfall is lower than previous years, but the effects are “cumulative,” Superintendent Rebecca Miner said.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.