Initial returns from the Nov. 5 general election show all but one incumbent in Mountlake Terrace City Council races taking strong leads in their efforts to retain their seats.
Mountlake Terrace City Councilmembers Kyoko Wright and Bryan Wahl show double- digit leads in their races against challengers Wanda Clarke-Morin and Leonard French. Wright leads by more than 20 percentage points, while Wahl is up by more than 13 percent.
In city council position 3, incumbent Doug McCardle has a narrow 73-vote advantage over Stephen Barnes after the first day of results were released by the Snohomish County Election Division.
Two other council seats featured incumbents who were running unopposed — Rick Ryan and MLT Mayor Jerry Smith.
In the Brier mayoral race, incumbent Bob Colinas garnered 72.37 percent of the vote; challenger Adam Gregorich stands at 27.28 percent after the early vote results.
Tuesday’s returns were from approximately two-fifths of the total ballots that county officials expect to be counted in the general election.
The initial tabulations were no surprise for Councilmember McCardle. “I was expecting a close one,” he said at an election party Tuesday night. “Stephen Barnes, he’s a decent candidate that put up some good literature out there.”
“It’s nice to be in the lead, but it’s not a done deal,” McCardle added. “It’s going to be a close watch until the election is certified.”
Wright and Wahl were much more relaxed and confident in securing victory after seeing their first returns come in. “I want to thank everybody for their support and helping us keep Mountlake Terrace move forward,” Wahl said.
Wright pointed out that her 60-percent vote total so far is similar to the percentage of votes cast for her in 2009. That year Wright defeated Jasmin B. Contreras 57.77 percent to 41.62 percent.
General Election Unofficial Results (19.88% voter turnout)
Mountlake Terrace Council Position 1
Rick Ryan 1,770 (96.09%)
Write-ins 72 ( 3.91%)
Mountlake Terrace Council Position 2
Jerry Smith 1,725 (94.73%)
Write-ins 96 ( 5.27%)
Mountlake Terrace Council Position 3
Stephen Barnes 987 (47.87%)
Doug McCardle 1,060 (51.41%)
Mountlake Terrace Council Position 4
Kyoko Wright 1,281 (60.11%)
Wanda Clarke-Morin 838 (39.32%)
Mountlake Terrace Council Position 5
Bryan Wahl 1,192 (56.33%)
Leonard French 914 (43.19%)
Brier Mayor
Bob Colinas 634 (72.37%)
Adam Gregorich 239 (27.28%)
— By Doug Petrowski
Regardless of the outcome, I want to thank ALL the voters who did your civic duty and sent in your ballot. We are a representative democracy, where the citizens (you) pick representatives who then do the hard day to day decision-making for the populace. You share in the success of the winners, whoever they are!
Stephen Barnes, candidate
Good to see the majority of citizens want to see MLT continue on the right track.
Yes for sure Brett! Some of the negativity from some of the challengers was a bit much and left a bad feeling… I’m sure the negativity will continue, but at least not as a city representative! Congrats to all!
Thank you! It is an honor to be able to continue serving on the Mountlake Terrace City Council. I very much appreciate all the support I have received and the confidence our voters have entrusted in me to keep Mountlake Terrace moving forward.
For those who did not vote for me, I hope to earn your trust in the years to come. I understand there are those who do not feel their voice is being heard. While we may not always agree on the approach, I will listen to your concerns and work to find a balance amongst varying interests and develop a consensus on important issues facing our community to ensure Mountlake Terrace is a great place to live, work, shop and play!
Thank you! It is an honor to be able to continue serving on the Mountlake Terrace City Council. I very much appreciate all the support I have received and the confidence our voters have entrusted in me to keep Mountlake Terrace moving forward.
For those who did not vote for me, I hope to earn your trust in the years to come. I understand there are those who do not feel their voice is being heard. While we may not always agree on the approach, I will listen to your concerns and work to find a balance amongst varying interests and develop a consensus on important issues facing our community to ensure Mountlake Terrace is a great place to live, work, shop and play!