Updated--Battle in Burien goes to Shaw
Wed, 11/07/2007
Burien City Councilman Gordon Shaw decisively defeated former councilman Stephen Lamphear in the Nov. 6 election battle for Shaw's seat.
King County Elections reported Wednesday evening that 99 percent of the precincts and 162,405 absentee ballots have been counted in the county.
In other closely watched races, long-time Normandy Park Councilman Stuart Creighton was defeated by challenger Doug Osterman, Tukwila City Councilman Jim Haggerton was elected mayor after beating council colleague Pam Carter and two Port of Seattle commissioner races remained close.
The county elections department counted 2,819 votes (62.81 percent) for Shaw and 1,645 votes (36.63 percent) for Lamphear.
Many Burien voters received a letter from annexation foe Ron Seale accusing Lamphear of being unfit for office.
Shaw, who received an endorsement from area Realtors, disavowed the attack in a letter to the Times/News.
For the Burien council seat vacated by Jack Block Jr., Water District Commissioner Kathy Keene (2,433 votes, 56.83 percent) defeated community volunteer Ed Dacy (1,89827 votes, 42.68 percent.)
Running unopposed Burien Councilwoman Lucy Krakowiak received 3,429 (97.86 percent) of the vote in early returns.
In Normandy Park, Osterman garnered 964 votes (65.49 percent) while the incumbent Creighton tallied 502 votes (34.10 percent.)
Shawn McEvoy, George Hadley and William Enersen were unopposed in their Normandy Park council races.
Haggerton will take over from Steven Mullet as Tukwila's mayor. Haggerton received 860 votes (65.65 percent) and Carter received 443 votes (33.82 percent.)
This was Haggerton's second run for mayor. He was defeated by Mullet four years ago.
Kathy Hougardy claimed an open seat on the Tukwila council by defeating Brian P. Kennedy. Hougardy received 786 votes (63.18 percent) and Kennedy garnered 451 votes (36.25 percent)
Dennis Robertson and Joan Hernandez will continue on the Tukwila council after running unopposed.
After previous contentious council elections, Des Moines electoral politics were quiet this year.
Mayor Bob Sheckler, Mayor pro-tem Scott Thomasson and Councilman Dan Sherman ran unopposed.
In SeaTac, Mia Gregerson will join the council after running unopposed for the seat vacated by Don DeHan.
Also running without opposition, Mayor Gene Fisher and Deputy Mayor Ralph Shape and Councilwoman Terry Anderson will remain on the council.
With three out of five members retiring, the Highline School Board will have a new majority.
PTA activist Bernie Dorsey with 6,170 votes (58.73 percent) defeated Melissa Sue Robinson (4,273 votes, 40.67 percent) for Phyllis Byers' seat. Robinson did not actively campaign.
Silvi Savusa and Michael D. Spear ran unopposed for the school board.
The closest races were for two seats on the Port of Seattle Commission. The port operates Sea-Tac International Airport.
In the early returns, challenger Gael Tarleton (101,594 votes, 52.18 percent) led incumbent Bob Edwards (92,299 votes, 47.40 percent.)
The challenger also barely led in the other port race. Bill Bryant garnered 95,955 votes (50.51 percent) while Alec Fisken received 93,229 votes (49.08 percent)
King County Councilman Dow Constantine, a Democrat, easily outpolled Republican opponent John Potter. Constantine received 21,340 votes, (76.11 percent) and Potter received 6,635 votes (23.67 percent.)
Election results for Highline area fire, sewer and water districts as well as updated figures for other contests are available at http://www.metrokc.gov/elections/200711.
The Nov. 14 Times/News will also have updated results.