Unofficial results for Aug. 4 election

As primary election results are tallied many candidates will move on to the November General Election while Lakewood School District has to consider budget cuts as their levies look to be rejected again by voters.

In Washington state's primary system the top two candidates in a primary move on to the general election ballot.

This year's general election will be held on Nov. 3.

All results listed were as of Aug. 5, but mail-in ballots may be continued to be counted.

Lakewood School District Levies

Lakewood faces the possibility of reducing its operating budget as its two levy propositions that would renew funds it currently has appear to have been rejected by voters.

Their programs and operation levy is failing with 44.31 percent voting in favor.

A technology and capital improvements levy would have been used for building maintenance and technology for classrooms and is closer to passing, but still currently being rejected with 49.42 percent voting in favor.

A programs and operation levy is the main source of local tax dollars for the majority of school districts in the state. Without it, Lakewood is looking at a budget shortfall of more than $6 million.

The district placed these two levies on the ballot again after they failed in February. They were meant to replace expiring levies.

If both levies fail the school district will not receive local tax dollars for 2020 and will have to rely solely on state and federal funding.

"We're going to look at what reductions we can make, as we now have a $6.3 million funding gap to make up for," said Scott Peacock, Lakewood School District superintendent.

No decisions have been made yet, but staffing, athletics and other programs could receive big reductions at the school district.

"We've already re-evaluated our budget this year and there's not a lot more for us to reduce that will not cut deeply into programs that are important to kids," said Peacock.

The levy results were "tremendously disappointing," said Peacock, a sentiment that many on the school board agreed with.

"It's hard to imagine something other than COVID affecting our district in a negative way right now, but here we are," said Lakewood school board member Sandy Gotts.

"I'm just dumbfounded. I'm struggling with how we got to where we are at with the negative attitude," said Lakewood school board member Larry Bean.

The pandemic already made the environment tough to run a levy as many families are struggling with financial difficulties.

"We understand that people are not happy with the distance learning. We understand this is a difficult time economically for many," said Peacock.

"It's not just Lakewood. We're seeing some trends even outside of Lakewood that we don't have any control of. There's a huge movement for tax reform," said Lakewood school board member Jahna Smith.

Confusion about the nature of the levies also contributed to their failure.

"It's disheartening that it's going to affect the kids. I'm still kind of in shock that people still didn't understand that it was a replacement levy," said Lakewood school board member Leaha Boser.

As replacement levies they would have not raised taxes, but renewed already existing taxes.

"These are not new taxes. We were not asking people to pay more than what they were," said Peacock.

The school district will work toward some new levy funding for 2021, although what that will look like is not yet known, said Peacock.

"Not collecting local tax dollars is not a sustainable model for us," he said. "We will need some path beyond 2021."

Peacock said the school district will look for a path forward to provide education to local kids.

"Schools are the heart of our community in Lakewood. Our kids deserve the quality of education kids are getting in other districts. My hope is that we will find a way to do that," he said.

Governor

The race for Governor included more than 20 candidates in a crowded field. Democrat incumbent Jay Inslee secured 50.4 percent of the vote while Republican Loren Culp looks to secure a space on the general election ballot with 17.5 percent of the vote.

Republicans Joshua Freed and Tim Eyman are far behind Culp with 8.3 percent of the vote and 6.8 percent of the vote respectively.

Congressional Representatives

Locals voted in races for Congressional District 1 and District 2 which both includes a host of candidates vying for just two congressional seats.

District 2 includes Tulalip and the majority of Marysville and Arlington.

Incumbent Democrat Rick Larsen received 50.3 percent of the vote. Republican Timothy Hazelo currently has a slim hold on second place with 14.7 percent of the vote and Democrat Jason Call is close behind at 13.6 percent of the vote.

Congressional District 1 includes some parts of the city of Arlington and outlying neighborhoods such the Arlington Heights and the Getchell hill areas.

Incumbent Democrat Suzan DelBene will move on to the general election with 54.9 percent of the vote while Republican Jeffrey Beeler has the second ballot spot tied up with 33.3 percent of the vote.

State Legislature - LD 38

Legislative District 38 includes a good deal of south Marysville and all of Tulalip and the district had three races this year.

Democrat June Robinson was formerly a State Representative and was appointed to the vacant Senate seat earlier this year.

In a three-way race Robinson secured 45.12 percent of the vote with Republican Bernard Moody receiving 41.15 percent and Democrat Kelly Fox receiving 13.63 percent.

Democrat Emily Wicks was appointed to fill Robinson's House seat.

Wicks received 49.79 percent of the vote with Republican Bert Johnson in second place at 38.70 percent. Democrat Lacey Sauvageau also received 6.86 percent of the vote with Libertarian Jorge Garrido receiving 4.55 percent.

Incumbent Democrat Mike Sells received 68.04 percent of the vote against Libertarian David Wiley who received 30.13 percent.

State Legislature - LD 39

Legislative District 39 includes most of the city of Arlington and has three races this year.

For the State Senate seat incumbent Republican Keith Wagoner received 66.05 percent of the vote against a challenge from Washington Progressive Party candidate Kathryn Lewandowsky, who received 33.72 percent of the vote.

The first House seat saw incumbent Republican Robert Sutherland receive 60.56 percent of the vote against Democrat Claus Joens, who received 39.30 percent.

The second seat saw incumbent Republican Carolyn Eslick with 50.04 percent of the vote against Democrat Ryan Johnson who received 35.93 percent of the vote and Republican Sandy Mesenbrink who received 13.93 percent.

State Legislature - LD 44

Legislative District 44 covers some parts of Marysville, particularly the Sunnyside neighborhood area, and has two races this year.

For the first House seat incumbent Democrat John Lovick received 55.33 percent of the vote against 44.56 percent of the vote for Republican John Kartak.

Incumbent Jared Mead did not run again for the second House seat as he seeks a position on the Snohomish County Council.

Republican Mark James received 47.54 percent of the vote with Democrat April Berg receiving 32.38 percent and Democrat Anne Anderson receiving 20.03 percent.

State Legislature - LD 10

Three positions are up for election in Legislative District 10, which includes parts of the Lakewood and Lake Goodwin areas.

State Sen. Barbara Bailey stepped down from her position and Republican Ron Muzzall was appointed to it.

Muzzall secured 61.62 percent of the vote against Democrat Helen Johnson, who received 38.25 percent of the vote.

State Rep. Norma Smith opted not to run again for the legislature. Her seat saw a five-way race with Republican Greg Gilday receiving 56.65 percent of the vote and Democrats Angie Homola and Suzanne Woodard battling for second place, with 18.23 percent and 15.04 percent of the vote respectively.

In the second House seat Republican Bill Bruch received 59.29 percent of the vote while incumbent Democrat Dave Paul received 36.25 percent.