With a turnout of less than 22 percent of registered voters countywide, it seems that a lot of Snohomish County voters simply chose not to participate in the Aug. 6 primary election. In Mountlake Terrace and Brier, a low voter turnout may be understandable as most ballots had just one race on it — a race whose outcome didn’t matter this time around as it was already known both candidates would appear again on the general election ballot in November.
The latest primary election results show Terry Ryan, D-Mill Creek, leading Robert Reedy, R-Mountlake Terrace, by a more than two-to-one margin in the race for the District 4 seat to the Snohomish County Council. As of Friday, Aug. 9, Ryan has gathered 67.80 percent of the votes while Reedy trailed with 31.61 percent of the vote.
Ryan and Reedy square off again in the Nov. 5 general election, with the top vote-getter winning the seat being vacated by three-term Councilperson Dave Gossett, who was unable to seek re-election again due to term limit laws.
Ryan, a former Fire District 7 commissioner and City of Mill Creek councilmember and mayor, has made a strong effort to get his name in front of voters this year with yard signs and campaign events throughout south Snohomish County. His campaign has raised more than $54,000, spending almost $40,000 even before the Aug. 6 primary.
For Reedy, it’s the level of campaigning that his opponent has done in relation to his vote total that gives him hope in what seems like a lopsided race. “One gauge (is) the votes divided by money spent,” Reedy explained. “That is always a key in the primary.”
Ryan spent more than $3 in campaign funds for each of the 11,718 votes he received; Reedy tallied 5,462 votes without reportedly spending any campaign money.
Despite little campaigning, Reedy sees the support he received in the primary as an indication that victory is still achievable. “Sure I can win, if I play my cards right,” he said.
The Mountlake Terrace resident did have an entry in the Tour de Terrace parade, complete with campaign signs, American flags and supporters from the Snohomish County Republican Party, a group he is counting on for more support as the Nov. 5 general election approaches. “They will help me a lot in due time,” he hinted.
Both Ryan and Reedy have some time before voters will likely begin paying attention to races and issues again this fall; the Nov. 5 general election ballots don’t hit voters’ mailboxes unit mid-October.
who wrote this article? are you sure that robt reedy walked in the parade with the republican party? If he did, he or the republican party need to pay the $80.00 fee for political candidates.
It’s a little late now don’t you think? 🙂
your opinion, margaret, is so rude and worthless. must be awful to be so negative on everything every day. i feel sorry for you.
Ms. Smith, I am offended by your mean-spirited belittling of others’ opinions.
As Mountlake Terrace, First Lady your comments are not becoming of the position you occupy.
When did the organizers of Tour de Terrace start charging citizens a fee to exercise their First Amendment rights? Who profits by this fee?
Is it really easier for someone involved in all thing Tour de Terrace to write accusatory commentary than it is to confirm with others in charge whether someone violated parade rules.
FYI, I paid the $80 and walked with numerous supporters in the parade, yet MLTNEWS asked me why I didn’t participate. Maybe everything you read isn’t necessarily so.
When I saw Robert, he was walking alone carrying an American flag without any supporters or even any indication that he was a candidate. He looked more like a misplaced member of the Color Guard than an active candidate. Walking with a flag and no nameplate isn’t really against Tour de Terrace rules, is it?
I’m so very disappointed at Mr. Ryan’s victory. I am surprised that the scandal regarding his disgraced brother, Judge Timothy Ryan, did not affect the campaign. We do not need any more Ryans in positions of power in Snohomish County. Best of luck to Mr. Reedy.
I submitted a comment earlier today, but realized I did not sign my entire name, so here goes again: I disagree completely with Mr. Blahin. One issue has nothing to do with the other. I think we should focus on the positives Terry Ryan can bring to the position if elected (same goes for Mr. Reedy). Do our research, etc. We are lucky to live in a society where we can vote our conscience and get to exercise free speech. Judge ye not, so to speak.