EVERETT —Brian Sullivan surged ahead of Rob Toyer Friday in their duel to become the next Snohomish County treasurer.
Sullivan erased a 710-vote deficit and moved in front by 32 votes in the latest tally of ballots reported by the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office.
Sullivan, a Democratic Snohomish County Councilman, had trailed Toyer, a Marysville City Councilman, since election night, at one point falling behind by more than a 1,000 votes.
As of Friday evening, 153,889 ballots had been counted in Snohomish County. Election officials report roughly 50,000 are left to tally. The next update of results is planned for 5 p.m. Saturday.
The closest contest Friday concerned a proposed levy increase for the North County Regional Fire Authority.
The proposition to reset the fire and emergency services levy to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value was failing by one vote with 2,673 votes opposed and 2,672 in support.
Voters approved the $1.50 rate in 2008, but it has dropped to $1.36 per $1,000. The district provides fire suppression and emergency medical service to 25,000 people over 110 square miles, including the City of Stanwood.
In Bothell, Mason Thompson and Leigh Henderson are locked in a very tight race for a seat on Bothell City Council. The city lies in both Snohomish and King counties.
Thompson moved ahead of Henderson by 10 votes following the Snohomish County tally. King County elections officials planned to issue another update Friday night which could change the margin — and the leader.
In Lake Stevens, challenger Anji Jorstad gained a little breathing room in her quest to unseat City Councilwoman Rauchel McDaniel. Jorstad’s lead grew from nine votes to 95 votes Friday. McDaniel led by 17 in the initial results but has trailed in each count since Wednesday.
Statewide, the fate of Referendum 88 is drawing increased attention. The measure, which would reinstate use of affirmative action by the state, is being rejected by 50.7% of voters.
For a brief time Friday, it actually was being approved. It happened when results from King County, where it enjoys more than 60% support, were added to the statewide total maintained by the Secretary of State. When results from other counties, including Snohomish, were added in, the measure fell behind. King County elections officials intended to issue another update Friday night.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@herald net.com. Twitter: @dospueblos.
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