Sidran closes in on Nickels in Seattle mayoral race

Associated Press

SEATTLE — City Attorney Mark Sidran has closed King County Councilman Greg Nickels’ lead in the mayor’s race to 1,640 votes, King County elections officials said Tuesday.

Sidran won about 14,000, or 57 percent, of the nearly 25,000 ballots cast for either candidate in the latest tally of absentee votes. Overall, Nickels has 50.6 percent of the vote, or 67,674, to Sidran’s 49.4 percent, or 66,034.

Sidran issued a statement saying: "We’re continuing to gain votes. This race is far from over."

In all, 25,420 ballots were counted in the batch announced Tuesday, but only 24,739 contained votes for either mayoral candidate. An estimated 35,000 absentee ballots remain to be counted, elections superintendent Julie Anne Kempf said.

If the final results show the candidates to be within 0.5 percentage points of each other, there will be an automatic recount. The next batch of absentee results was to be announced Thursday, and results were to be certified Nov. 21.

Any recount would take place after that.

"It’s going to be a close election. Everybody knew that going in," said Nickels campaign manager Marco Lowe. "We’re still in the lead. We’re looking forward to Thursday’s tally."

Nickels led by 7,200 votes — 54 percent to 46 percent — on election night. That lead has been shrinking as additional absentee ballots have been counted.

The campaign focused on the region’s transportation mess and the stylistic differences between Sidran, a conservative Democrat, and Nickels, a liberal one.

Sidran, whose support of "civility laws" has angered civil libertarians, presented himself as the strong leader Seattle needs to bring it out of rocky times.

Nickels, whose work on the troubled Sound Transit light rail project has been roundly criticized by Sidran, touted himself as the candidate who understands the consensus-building "Seattle way," and local priorities.

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

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.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

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.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

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.