Small shifts but no changes in second day of vote counting

EVERETT — A Republican state senator is hanging on to a spot on the November ballot in the latest vote tally released Wednesday.

But Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, did see his lead on Republican Elizabeth Scott, of Monroe, shrink as they duel for second place in the primary in the 39th Legislative District.

Democrat Claus Joens, of Marblemount, is winning with 40 percent. Wagoner, appointed to the seat in January, is next with 29 percent followed by Scott with 26.3 percent. Wagoner’s lead is 523 votes, down from 565 votes Tuesday. The district covers rural areas of Snohomish and Skagit counties and a sliver of King County.

A similar situation is shaping up in the 38th District where it is not certain yet who will oppose Sen. John McCoy, D-Tulalip, in the general election.

McCoy is the top vote-getter with 40.4 percent. Democrat Bruce Overstreet, of Everett, is in second, 104 votes in front of Republican Savio Pham, of Everett. Overstreet had a 118-vote advantage Tuesday.

In the 32nd District, Sen. Maralyn Chase, D-Edmonds, continued to lead fellow Democrat Jesse Salomon, of Shoreline, as the two prepare to face off in the general election.

Chase had 38.8 percent to Salomon’s 36.2 percent, with Republican James Wood trailing with 25 percent. Chase’s margin was 643 votes, down from 669 votes on Tuesday.

In a battle for an open House seat in the district, Republican Frank Deisler solidified his hold on the second spot. Democrat Lauren Davis is ahead with 50.5 percent followed by Deisler with 24.9 percent and Chris Roberts with 24.6 percent. Deisler leads Roberts by 78 votes, up from just four votes Tuesday.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, of Everett, is going to have to wait a few more days to learn who he will be up against.

Larsen, heavily favored to capture a 10th term, had 66.3 percent Wednesday.

Just like the night of the election, four of five challengers were potential second-place finishers.

Collin Richard Carlso,n of Marysville, a Democrat, held the spot Wednesday. Gary Franco, of Lopez Island, an independent, is 19 votes behind Carlson, followed by Uncle Mover of Mill Creek, a moderate Republican, and Brian Luke of Lynnwood, a Libertarian. Stonewall Jackson “Stoney” Bird, of Bellingham, a Green, trailed the field.

Snohomish County PUD Commissioner Kathy Vaughn, who is pursuing a fifth term in District 2, remained in second place Wednesday but her advantage shrunk.

Rebecca Wolfe is winning with 30 percent. Vaughn is next at 28.7 percent followed by David Chan at 28.4 percent. There are 125 votes separating Vaughn and Chan, down from a 246-margin Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a levy increase sought by Fire District 24 in Darrington continued to falter.

Voters were rejecting Proposition 1 by a margin of 52.7 percent to 47.3 percent. The fire district is mostly run by volunteers, and has only been able to afford having one worker at the station five days per week. Others remain on call for emergencies.

The levy was supposed to ensure someone was there daily.

The department was asking to collect $1.25 per $1,000 of assessed property value, which was a rate increase of about 58 cents. It asked for the same amount in February, which failed by 11 votes.

And another day of ballot counting improved the situation for a levy increase sought by Fire District 21 in rural Arlington.

The measure was passing by 52 votes, an increase from the 22-vote margin registered election night.

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