Local races still up in air

By Jim Haley

Herald Writer

A big batch of absentee votes were counted Friday, assuring that the Democrats have a majority in the state House of Representatives, but leaving candidates in several city council races uncertain.

Still up for grabs are city council races in Sultan, Monroe, Marysville and Darrington. Some candidates who trailed Tuesday are now leading.

About 39,000 votes were counted Friday, but the county election staff isn’t through counting. Between 5,000 and 6,000 more votes will be counted Nov. 20, the day before the election is certified.

An automatic recount is required by law if the candidates finish within one half of 1 percent of each other.

"If they’re within automatic recount range now, they will probably be within recount range when we do the final run," said Scott Konopasek, election manager in the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office.

Here is a breakdown on some close races:

38th Legislative District

In this heated race, the issue has been resolved.

Incumbent state Rep. Jean Berkey, D-Everett, has kept her seat. Her victory, coupled with Democrat Brian Sullivan beating Rep. Joe Marine, R-Mukilteo, gives the Democrats a 50-48 majority in the House.

"We’re going to work on gridlock," said Berkey of the drive to get funding to solve some of the area’s traffic woes. "I really believe I learned from the voters on the campaign trail that this is a problem for all of us."

Berkey increased her lead over Republican Erv Hoglund by 18 votes in Friday’s count.

House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, said the House Democrats "welcome this opportunity to end gridlock in Olympia and to build the public’s trust in government."

He referred to the inability of the Legislature last session to move on a transportation budget because the House was locked in a 49-49 tie for the third year.

City council races

Several city council races are so close they are likely to end up in automatic recounts.

Sultan City Council incumbent Cindy Broughton had only a three-vote lead over Rob Criswell. In Monroe, Bruce Hansen’s lead over Verna Korslund was just 10 votes.

Hansen said, "I’m telling everyone that I’m cautiously optimistic. Pretty much, you can call 10 votes out of 2,000 a dead heat."

Also in Monroe, council member Jim Hunnicutt appeared to be the victor in the race for Position 3. He led challenger and current Mayor Bob Holman by 19 votes. Another close race in Monroe features incumbent Penny Sopris-Kegerreis, who was trailing newcomer and neighborhood activist Art Larson by 19 votes.

Marysville City Council

John Nehring’s 17-vote lead over Tim Bond left him wishing the contest was over.

"This is incredible," Nehring said. "I wish it was done with."

Also, council candidate Tom Grady increased his lead over incumbent NormaJean Dierck to 88 votes. And Jeff Seibert took a 104-vote lead over city council member John Myers. Myers held a slim lead on election night.

Marysville School Board

A heated Marysville School Board race will end with newcomer Ronald Young beating incumbent Don Hatch. Young has a 122-vote lead.

"If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work," said Hatch, an American Indian. "One of the biggest parts I feel bad about is not having a voice from the Native American community."

Young said he is feeling optimistic and is planning on moving forward on what his role will be on the board.

Darrington City Council

In a close council race, Gary Willis has a 13-vote lead over Cindy Anderson.

Granite Falls City Council

Heather Buchholz is the apparent winner of a close Granite Falls City Council race with Richard Smith. That race sparked controversy because she is not a registered voter within the city, which is required by law.