By Jim Haley
Herald Writer
Two Democrats were in a neck-and-neck race to determine who will try to unseat an incumbent Republican member of the Washington House and tip the balance of power in that chamber.
As expected, former Mukilteo Mayor Brian Sullivan and newcomer J. D. Wilson of Edmonds were in a virtual tie early in the primary counting Tuesday night for a 21st Legislative District seat. Wilson had a slight lead.
The two are competing to see who goes up against Joe Marine, R-Mukilteo, who was appointed late last year to fill a vacancy. If the Democrats win, it could tip the balance in the House, which failed to pass important transportation legislation last session because of a 49-49 deadlock.
In the neighboring 38th District, Jean Berkey, D-Everett, easily bested Marysville opponent Randall Rike to earn a try for her first election.
Both Berkey and Marine were appointed to fill vacancies and are required to run this fall. These are the only two House seats on the ballot in November, focusing a lot of state attention on these two Snohomish County races.
Many look at the 21st District race as a tossup in a district that could swing between Democrats and Republicans. Marine has served just half a term, and the Democrats are blaming him for the inability of the Legislature to get off dead center on transportation.
The Democratic votes had a huge edge over the Republican ballots cast, but Marine said that’s because Republicans knew he would be moving on to the finale.
"When you have a contested primary, those people are motivated to get out," Marine said.
Wilson put a different spin on it.
"These numbers say people want a change in Olympia," Wilson said.
Sullivan acknowledged: "I’m nervous. I knocked on 12,000 doors and worked hard. It’s just a matter of seeing what’s going to happen."
Wilson, 26, is a fresh face who has worked for the state Democratic Party in the past. He has support of women’s rights organizations and environmental groups.
Sullivan, 43, garnered the support of a lot of mainstay Democratic political leaders and was heavy on labor endorsements.
Marine already has been the target of a number of mailed party and special-interest attacks — one of which wound up in people’s mailboxes two days after the terrorist attacks on the East Coast, making Republican Party officials bristle.
Marine has the larger war chest, accumulating $140,000, according to state Public Disclosure Commission reports. Sullivan’s bankroll was about $65,000 and Wilson’s $83,000.
In addition, a lot of party money is expected to be spent on behalf of the candidates by the parties and others.
In the 38th District, many believe Berkey should be able to maintain her seat if she works hard in the election. The 38th historically has been a Democratic bastion.
But state Republican Party chairman Chris Vance said his party hasn’t given up and intends to spend a lot of money to get Erv Hoglund elected.
Berkey is a longtime political manager who took over early this year after her friend Pat Scott died of cancer.
Hoglund, a retired airline pilot, took a large chunk of the vote.
In the 21st District, it appears Libertarian Michael Enquist and the Green Party’s Young Han will get more than 1 percent of the vote and will move on to the general election Nov. 6. In the 38th District, Libertarian Thomas Kinnebrew also should get enough votes to stay in the race for the general.
You can call Herald Writer Jim Haley at 425-339-3447
or send e-mail to haley@heraldnet.com.
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