MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — Maria Quinteiro, 42, is running for city council position 3 as a write-in candidate because of a public spat between two challengers running for that seat. (See related story, “City needs more businesses, candidates say,” in Oct. 7 edition) City council members need to be able to think on their feet and stay focused on the issues, she said.
“It is no big secret that is what brought me forward,” said Quinteiro, a real estate agent. “You need to stay focused on the issues so you can resolve issues.”
Quinteiro’s name will not appear on the general election ballot on Nov. 8, which is customary for all write-in candidates, according to the Snohomish County Elections Office. Voters will have to write in her name and mark the arrow next to her name.
Quinteiro, 43, is one of three write-in candidates countywide who have filed with the Snohomish County Elections Office as a write-in candidate. The other two write-in candidates are Charles Goodhope for Granite Falls mayor and Steve Schmalz for Mukilteo City Council Position 6.
Although filing with the Snohomish County Elections Office as a write-in candidates is not required, it does make it easier to win a race.
“When someone writes her name in, they do not have to spell her name perfectly,” said Elections supervisor Wendy Mauch.
Write-in candidates rarely win but it can happen, said Mauch. Darrington Mayor Joyce Jones won her seat in 2003 as a write-in candidate.
Quinteiro, a Mountlake Terrace resident of 8 years, has not run for a public office before. She worked as a financial manager for about 20 years.
If elected, her priority is to promote positive growth among businesses and maintain the small-town feel in Mountlake Terrace. She also wants to improve communication between the citizens and the council.
“My vision is to keep it (the city) like it is, like a small town,” she said. “It does have some handicaps.”
She favors three-story buildings in the downtown area and parking. She also supports cottage housing in some areas of town. Quinteiro said she can offer her business experience and her passion.
“I don’t like politics, but I do like Mountlake Terrace,” Quinteiro said.
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