MARYSVILLE — Former City Councilwoman NormaJean Dierck and challenger Dennis Kendall were leading two City Council members in the race for mayor in early returns Tuesday night.
In the Marysville School Board race for Position 2, Carol Jason, who is supported by striking teachers, and incumbent Mark Johnson appeared to advance to the general election Nov. 4.
Dierck was pleased with the results, but refrained from speculation about whether the lead would hold.
"I just want to be there and be the voice for the citizens of Marysville," she said. "I believe with their support, we can keep Marysville our city and our home."
She doesn’t plan to do anything differently for the general election, she said.
Kendall said he was "rather surprised" by the early votes.
"I’m hoping that it’ll hold steady, and I’ll end up in second place. It’s not where I wanted to be, but that’s up to the voters," he said.
He’s now trying to decide how to reshape his campaign for November.
"It could conceivably be a backlash to the Tom Grady thing a couple of years ago," referring to a council member who resigned not long after unseating Dierck in a close race, and then faced criminal charges.
"We need to look and see what precincts were real strong in there and attack those precincts. I’m the best person for that job. I’m level-headed, enthusiastic. We’re moving forward. We’re on it."
Kendall’s goal is to run the city as a viable business and focus on the city’s positive aspects.
Current Mayor Dave Weiser did not seek re-election.
Councilman Mike Leighan trailed Kendall by only a few percentage points, and Councilman Jeff Seibert garnered the fewest votes in the early results.
Dierck, 45, previously served four years on the council and is a strong advocate for environmental protections.
Kendall, 60, is retired, and he has strongly promoted a more open government and economic development.
In the school board race, Johnson, who led the third contender, Robert Zigler, said the teachers’ strike undoubtedly affected the voting.
"A lot of people are upset with the strike," he said. "People support their teachers. I really like our teachers. We have some of the greatest teachers in the world, we really do."
Johnson said he doesn’t plan to campaign any differently between now and November.
"I really make my decisions on what’s best for students. Sometimes that puts me at odds with other groups, but I wouldn’t do anything differently."
He remains hopeful, however.
"The strike won’t last until the general election, or if it does, it’ll be a new record. The record for Washington is six weeks. We’re halfway there. It’s hard on families. I feel sorry for the children and especially the seniors. They’re the ones who are really adversely affected by this.
"We’ve got to find a way to heal the district when they come back to school. That’s my biggest concern when this is over — how do we focus on student learning and student achievement."
Jason, 40, could not be reached for comment. She is a checker and shop steward at Safeway and has been critical of the district’s administration. She has said the district may need to find a new superintendent and should cut administrative costs.
She has also said the district must improve communication with teachers and parents.
The Marysville Education Association, the 650-member teachers union, gave Jason its recommendation, and many of its members campaigned in her behalf.
Johnson, 52, an electrical engineer for Kimberly-Clark Corp., has been on the school board for five years. He said improving student achievement is his top priority and that the district is taking innovative steps to make learning more personal.
Reporter Cathy Logg: 425-339-3437 or logg@heraldnet.com.
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