Mead likely to win 1 more year on Snohomish County Council

EVERETT — County Councilman Jared Mead was on his way to victory on Tuesday night in a bid to keep the seat he was appointed to early this year.

And in a race to become a Snohomish County Superior Court judge, Everett attorney Cassandra Lopez-Shaw was ahead of deputy prosecutor Robert Grant.

Mead, a Democrat, was leading Republican challenger Brenda Carrington in the race for the council’s 4th district seat, with more than 67.6% of the roughly 75,500 votes counted as of 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday. That’s according to unofficial, preliminary results from the county auditor’s office.

The win for Mead would mean he continues to represent residents in Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, Bothell and some unincorporated parts of the county for at least a year more.

“I’m grateful and humbled that the community has appreciated the work that I’ve been doing for them over the last six months,” Mead said. “I’m very excited to keep working.”

He was chosen in April by the other council members to succeed Terry Ryan, who stepped down to become the county’s first director of aerospace economic development.

Mead, a Mill Creek area resident, is finishing a term as a state lawmaker. He plans to run for election again next fall in pursuit of a full, four-year term on the County Council.

As waves of protests over police brutality have swept the nation, Mead has pushed for local discussions on how to bring more equity and accountability to the law and justice system. He supports plans to equip county law enforcement officers with body cameras.

Mead garnered more than $44,500 in campaign contributions, according to the state’s Public Disclosure Commission.

Carrington, a political newcomer, received more than $5,400 in donations.

In Snohomish County Superior Court’s only contested race for a judicial seat, Lopez-Shaw, a defense attorney, was leading over career prosecutor Robert K. Grant with almost 55.8% of the roughly 324,800 votes counted, the preliminary results show. The winner will replace retiring Judge Eric Lucas.

If Lopez-Shaw is ultimately elected, she will be the county’s first Latina judge.

She said she’s been inundated by calls and emails from supporters in recent weeks.

“I’m so glad I won for them, because they were so excited to vote for me,” Lopez-Shaw said. “I look forward to serving Snohomish County.”

The former public defender has a private practice on Hewitt Avenue, where Spanish-speaking clients are the focus.

Last year, she got 44.6% of votes in a bid to unseat Superior Court Judge Paul Thompson.

Lopez-Shaw got more than $55,400 in campaign contributions, and Grant received nearly $50,700, the Public Disclosure Commission reports.

Rachel Riley: 425-339-3465; rriley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @rachel_m_riley.