Rosemary Bennetts has evidently ousted Mill Creek City Council incumbent John Hudgins, according to updated returns from the Nov. 8 election.
Bennetts, a political newcomer, maintained her election night lead. Bennetts led as of results posted Tuesday, Nov. 15, The Enterprise’s deadline. Bennetts had slightly more than 52.44 percent of the vote.
“I’m being cautiously optimistic,” Bennetts said. “I just need to see more votes.”
Hudgins, meanwhile, conceded the race to Bennetts on Tuesday, e-mailing her a congratulations and offering to help her get acquainted with city issues, if she needs it.
“It’s the right thing to do,” Hudgins said.
Hudgins was one of only two City Council incumbents who was challenged in this year’s election, even though five seats were open. Longtime Council member Terry Ryan won easily over 20-year-old Brady Austin, getting 72.08 percent of the vote, and incumbents Donna Michelson, Mary Kay Voss and Mike Todd were unopposed.
Hudgins may have been the victim of voter backlash in regards to a proposed Wal-Mart in the 553-acre area the city will annex at the end of the month. Hudgins voted for the annexation, while Bennetts attended one meeting of the local anti-Wal-Mart group Citizens for a Better Mill Creek/Thomas Lake.
“I think it contributed (to my apparent victory),” Bennetts said. “I don’t like the location of Wal-Mart. I don’t think it’s a good idea. I’ve always felt that way. I think it’s going to cause a lot of congestion on 132nd (Street SE.)”
Hudgins also sided with a majority of the Council, which felt that it had little control over the proposed store since it was initially located in Snohomish County. But despite holding that position, Hudgins didn’t think any anti-Wal-Mart sentiment played into his defeat.
“(Rosemary’s) been here for 26 years,” Hudgins said. “She has a lot of friends. I don’t think there was any revolt against anything I did. I don’t think this was done on issues.”
Hudgins acknowledged that there could have been a backlash against a City Council decision not to excuse Ryan from the Oct. 25 meeting, when Council approved the annexation. Hudgins was one of three Council members, along with Voss and Dale Hensley, who opted not to excuse Ryan from not attending the meeting because Ryan was coaching a high school girls soccer game in Tacoma.
“That could have played a role, but it’s hard to say,” Hudgins said. “The big thing was the vote was not against Terry.”
Hudgins, meanwhile, said he was surprised at his loss, considering all that’s gone on during his four years on the Council. During Hudgins’ time in office, a new city manager was hired, the Huntron Building was purchased, the Mill Creek Sports Park opened and Town Center went from being a concept to reality.
“I’m proud of what I’ve done,” he said. “I’ll be back.”
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