Garth Fell, incumbent Snohomish County Auditor, cracks a smile as the first results of the 2023 election appear on a screen at the elections office in Administrative Building West on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. Fell led by nearly 20% after initial results. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Garth Fell, incumbent Snohomish County Auditor, cracks a smile as the first results of the 2023 election appear on a screen at the elections office in Administrative Building West on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. Fell led by nearly 20% after initial results. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Fell leads race to remain Snohomish County auditor

Garth Fell, who ran as a nonpartisan candidate, was leading fellow election insider Cindy Gobel by almost 20% on Tuesday night.

EVERETT — A rematch between two election insiders for county auditor will almost certainly have the same outcome as 2019, based on initial results Tuesday.

Garth Fell, a one-term incumbent with 24 years of county elections experience, led former election certification specialist Cindy Gobel, with an initial count of 59.7% to 40%.

“I’m proud to see a big showing from Snohomish County voters,” Fell said after initial results dropped Tuesday night. “It validates all the hard work we’ve been doing.”

The county auditor serves a four-year term in the nonpartisan position, leading the office’s four divisions: elections, licensing, recording and animal services. The job pays over $150,000 a year.

In August’s primary, Fell led with 40.2% of the vote. Gobel followed with 32.8%. The two garnered enough votes to oust Robert Sutherland, a 2020 election denier and former Republican lawmaker running on greater election transparency.

On Tuesday night, Gobel watched the results come in at a party with the 38th Legislative District Democrats at Vintage Cafe on Hewitt Avenue, just blocks away from where Fell was overseeing ballot counting at the auditor’s office.

“I worked really hard in 2019, and I worked even harder this year,” she said Tuesday. “But you never know.”

As someone on the ballot and overseeing election results, “you have to be really careful,” Fell said.

After tabulating election results shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday, the printer at the auditor’s office ran out of toner while printing results.

“You didn’t see that,” Elections Manager Matthew Pangburn joked.

Fell has made it a point to run as a nonpartisan, believing the public wants a politically independent auditor. In 2019, he won the seat by 4,200 votes over Gobel, a Democrat from Marysville.

Fell began his career in King County elections and has managed elections in Snohomish County for 15 years. Gobel worked a decade in Snohomish County elections alongside Fell and five years in the secretary of state’s office, where she helped enforce election law under Kim Wyman.

The colleagues share similar views on many aspects of the job, but there are a few key differences.

Cindy Gobel, running for Snohomish County Auditor, speaks with supporters during an election night party at Vintage Cafe on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Cindy Gobel, running for Snohomish County Auditor, speaks with supporters during an election night party at Vintage Cafe on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Fell has touted an increase in ballot boxes — the county was not complying with state requirements in 2019 — and an office remodel to increase election security. His office has worked to increase public engagement through social media and two new employee positions focused on outreach.

Gobel has said Fell’s efforts are important, but not enough. She wants to see an auditor in the seat who goes beyond law compliance and “isn’t just sitting behind a desk,” she said. She also believes being upfront about political leanings and opinions is important for public trust, she said.

Just over an hour before voting ended, the auditor’s office reported 26.4% out of over 500,000 ballots had been returned.

Fell’s success Tuesday, if it holds, will keep him in the seat for the presidential election in 2024, his second as county auditor.

Sydney Jackson: 425-339-3430; sydney.jackson@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @_sydneyajackson.

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.

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.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

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.

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.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

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.