Democrats dominate, again

They’re all women. They’re all Democrats. And, most notably, they’re all returning.

Voters in the 32nd District are sending all three incumbents back to Olympia after the Nov. 7 general election. State Sen. Darlene Fairley, D-Lake Forest Park, was elected to another four-year term and state Reps. Ruth Kagi, D-Lake Forest Park, and Maralyn Chase, D-Edmonds, were strongly supported in their bids for two-year terms.

“I was surprised about what a great margin we won by, all three of us,” said Fairley, 63, who will be serving her fourth term. “It’s really a Democratic year.”

In King County, Fairley took 69 percent of votes and her opponent, David Baker, garnered 31 percent, according to election results released on Wednesday, The Enterprise deadline. In the Snohomish County portion of the district, Fairley was ahead of Baker 2,515 votes to 1,277.

For more than 20 years, women have held all three seats in the 32nd District, said Fairley, who chairs the Financial Institutions, Housing and Consumer Protection Committee and is a ranking member of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Her challenger, Baker, was disappointed with the numbers, but enjoyed campaigning and was “amazed at the generosity of people.” Baker is a first-term member of the Kenmore City Council and deputy mayor. He watched the early returns in Bellevue.

“It’s difficult running against an incumbent,” said Baker, who said he may run for a legislative seat in the future. “I don’t think it’s so much the issues, but that (she’s) an incumbent.”

Elected to her fifth term, Kagi took a strong lead in the race for Position 2 with 70 percent of votes in King County and 67 percent in the Snohomish County portion of the district.

“It’s just an amazing, thrilling night,” said Kagi, 61, “both my living room and kitchen are full of people.”

A “Victory Party” was organized by Kagi and Fairley, at Kagi’s Lake Forest Park home, to watch the early returns on election night. The women celebrated with about 40 friends.

The considerable number of seats the Democrats claimed in the state is similar to a “sweep” that occurred in 1994, said Kagi. It’s “gratifying” to have such strong constituent support, she said.

“I’m excited about going back to the legislature with a strong majority and being able to move issues, such as early learning, that are terribly important,” said Kagi, who chairs the House Children and Family Services Committee and sits on the Early Learning Council.

Her challenger, Shoreline resident Steve Gibbs, had a good time campaigning and said it’s good to know there’s a “little bit of red in our blue, blue state.”

“It’s no surprise,” said Gibbs about the election results. “I knew Ruth was a very tough incumbent.”

In the race for Position 1, Chase took 73 percent of votes in King County and 71 percent in the Snohomish County portion of the district.

Elected to her third full term, Chase was celebrating at a Shoreline restaurant with about 75 people on election night. She was first elected to the House for a one-year term by precinct committee officers in 2001.

“I am very grateful, it’s nice to have the voters confirm that I’m on the right track,” said Chase, 64.

Chase was challenged by Shoreline resident Norine Federow, who ran for state representative as a Republican in 1996. Compared to a decade ago, Federow said it was harder to reach voters, especially with limited candidate forums. She may consider running for office again in the future.

“On a personal level, it’s a growth experience and a humbling experience to be in an election,” said Federow. “I think we ran a very clean race; we talked about issues, both of us.”