Early results for the Aug. 5 primary election are in for three Auburn races and more, according to King County Elections. The top two finishers will advance to the November general election.
In the combined King and Pierce County results for mayor, as of 2 p.m., Friday incumbent Nancy Backus was leading with 58.65% of the vote, Auburn City Councilmember Yolanda Trout coming in second at 20.87%, and challenger Ronnie Morgan coming up third with 18.89% of the vote.
The Auburn Reporter caught up with Backus, her husband, Kemon, and her campaign manager, Sandi Hiller, at Oddfellas Pub and Eatery in Auburn where they were monitoring results.
“Just very excited. I appreciate the support from my friends and family, and the community,” said Backus after catching the first results at about 8:15 p.m. “Clearly, strong leadership, consistent leadership are needed in a time like this when there is so much uncertainty in the other Washington.”
“I am very proud of the work we’ve accomplished, and I am ready, willing, and able to do four more years,” Backus added.
For Auburn City Council Position 4, Brian Lott is leading the race with 46.17 % of the vote, followed by Erica Tomas at 37.34% and Yuval Fleming at 16.o1%.
For Auburn City Council Position 6, Lisa Stirgus, who was appointed to the position in April to fill the seat vacated by Larry Brown, is leading the race with 47.2% followed by Cobi Clark at 29.25% of the vote, and James Jeyaraj at 23.01%.
King County Executive
For the primary race narrowing the competition for King County Executive, the two expected front-runners have made it through.
Girmay Zahilay received 40.39% of the vote and Claudia Balducci received 30.2% of the vote.
Other candidates included Derek Chartrand, Bill Hirt, Amiya Ingram, Don L. Rivers, Rebecca Williamson.
John Wilson was still listed on the ballot as a candidate, but ended his campaign after being arrested due to an investigation into stalking and harassing his former domestic partner.
King County Council
In the King County Council District No. 7 race to represent Federal Way and Auburn, longtime incumbent Pete von Reichbauer received 58.25% of the vote. He will be facing challenger Maya Vengadasalam — who received 25.35% of the vote — in November for the seat he has held for 31 years. Pahaliyah Brown was the other challenger and received 15.52% of the vote.
King County Parks Levy (Prop. 1)
Early results show voters approving the King County Parks Levy at 70.09%.
The King County Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Levy is a not a new tax, but a replacement for the expiring parks levy. Voters first approved the levy in 2008, and have renewed it every eight years.
The new tax rate would be 23 cents per $1,000 in assessed property value for six years. For the average King County homeowner with $844,000 in assessed property value, the annual bill comes out to $194, or about $16 a month.
The proposed tax rate is higher than the levy voters approved in 2019, which was a little more than 18 cents per $1,000 assessed property value. Supporters note that the cost difference is about $3.50 a month.
King County expects to collect more than $1.45 billion over the six years of the levy to support more than 250 parks, 185 miles of regional trails, 215 miles of backcountry trails, and 32,000 acres of open space. Levy revenue makes up about 85% of the department’s budget.
In the King County Council District No. 7 race to represent Federal Way and Auburn, longtime incumbent Pete von Reichbauer received 59.75% of the vote. He will be facing challenger Maya Vengadasalam — who received 24.25% of the vote — in November for the seat he has held for 31 years. Pahaliyah Brown was the other challenger and received 15.52% of the vote.
King County Parks Levy (Prop. 1)
Early results show voters approving the King County Parks Levy at 70.09%.
The King County Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Levy is a not a new tax, but a replacement for the expiring parks levy. Voters first approved the levy in 2008, and have renewed it every eight years.
The new tax rate would be 23 cents per $1,000 in assessed property value for six years. For the average King County homeowner with $844,000 in assessed property value, the annual bill comes out to $194, or about $16 a month.
The proposed tax rate is higher than the levy voters approved in 2019, which was a little more than 18 cents per $1,000 assessed property value. Supporters note that the cost difference is about $3.50 a month.
King County expects to collect more than $1.45 billion over the six years of the levy to support more than 250 parks, 185 miles of regional trails, 215 miles of backcountry trails, and 32,000 acres of open space. Levy revenue makes up about 85% of the department’s budget.
