2 GOP state lawmakers lose ground to Democratic challengers

EVERETT — Two incumbent Republicans slipped further behind their Democratic challengers in Wednesday’s round of ballot counting.

Democrat Jared Mead increased his lead on Rep. Mark Harmsworth, R-Mill Creek, by 349 votes in their contest in the 44th District.

Mead, a Mill Creek city councilman, had 52.3 percent to 47.7 percent for Harmsworth, who is seeking a third term representing the communities of Lake Stevens, Snohomish and Mill Creek.

Meanwhile, Rep. Dave Hayes, R-Camano Island, lost ground to Dave Paul in their duel for a seat in the 10th Legislative District, which includes Island County along with parts of north Snohomish and south Skagit counties.

Hayes trailed by 232 votes on election night and by 353 votes Wednesday. Paul has received 50.4 percent to Hayes’ 49.6 percent.

In the 32nd Legislative District, Democrat Jesse Salomon, of Shoreline, held an insurmountable lead over Democratic Sen. Maralyn Chase, of Edmonds. With 69 percent, it’s clear he’ll be in the Senate next year.

“I feel like I just finished a marathon,” Salomon said Wednesday. “I am humbled by the support of this community and district. I would like to express my appreciation and respect to Senator Chase for her years of service to our community.”

In a statement, he said he looked forward to working with “my new Senate colleagues” on affordable housing, clean energy and early childhood education.

Chase, who has served eight years in the Senate after eight years in the House, could not be reached for comment.

The leader board from Tuesday’s election did not change in contests for seats on the Everett City Council and Snohomish County Public Utility District commission, or in a heated contest for a judgeship.

In the race for Position 4 on the Everett City Council, Liz Vogeli led with 51.4 percent of the vote to Tyler Rourke’s 48.6 percent.

For the District 2 seat on the PUD commission, Rebecca Wolfe put a few hundred more votes between herself and David Chan. She had 50.9 percent to his 49 percent. They are separated by 3,593 votes, up from a 3,242-vote margin on Tuesday.

And Jennifer Rancourt maintained her lead on Judge Kristen Olbrechts in their contest for Position 1 on the Arlington-based Cascade District Court.

Rancourt, a Snohomish County public defender, had 52.5 percent to 47.5 percent for Olbrechts, who ran unopposed for the seat four years ago.

In Arlington, leaders of the school district are contemplating what to do after voters rejected a $107.5 million bond for the second time this year.

The money would have been used to build a new Post Middle School and add classrooms at Arlington High School. New sports fields, safety improvements and planning for a new elementary school also figured into the package.

Only 49.6 percent of voters backed Proposition 1 in Wednesday’s tally. It needed 60 percent for passage.

“We’re disappointed,” said Superintendent Chrys Sweeting. “The need is there. The need doesn’t go away. We’ll keep working on it.”

Options include putting it in front of voters again and placing a pared-down version on the ballot.

Sweeting said while the measure garnered more votes of support than in February, the level of opposition rose, too.

Snohomish County election officials plan to provide the next update of vote totals at 5 p.m. Thursday.

They expect to count about 75,000 ballots, which is three times the amount tallied Wednesday.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@herald net.com. Twitter: @dospueblos