Primary Update

Turnout was low for this year’s August primary. The total returned ballots for the primary were only 19% of the total registered voters in our county. While the August primary (the primary used to be held in September) allows candidates more time to engage in communicating with voters, the new primary months appears to have cut down on the number of voters participating, which is likely due to the season (vacation, etc.).

Despite the low turnout, the fields for several positions throughout Pierce County were narrowed down as a result of the primary. In the Port of Tacoma Commissioner, Position 1 race with its field of three candidates, only two remain. Incumbent Connie Bacon handily won with over 56% of the vote followed by Bill Casper, who only garnered 29% of the vote.

In the council races, the contenders were cut down. Lakewood Council Position 2 was whittled down to Mike Brandstetter (46%) and Connie Coleman Lacadie (39%). The Milton Mayor’s race will down to Katrina Asay (42%) and Leonard Sanderson (34%).

Three of the Puyallup seats were narrowed down. In Puyallup Council District 1 Position 2 Tony Aho (45%) and incumbent George Dill (48%) will face off in November; Puyallup Council District 2 Position 2 will have Rick Hansen (49%) and Christopher Taylor (38%); and Puyallup Council District 3 Position 2 will have John Alexander (53%) and Kent Boyle (31%).

In the Tacoma Council Position #4, representing the Eastside of Tacoma, Marty Campbell won with 57% of the vote followed by Roxanne Murphy with 24%. In Tacoma Council Position #5, the seat representing the South End of Tacoma, Joe Lonergan (42%) and Beckie Summers Kirby (37%) will face off in the general election.

In other races, University Place narrowed one of its contests for University Place Council Position 1 to Javier Figueroa (44%) and Linda Bird (37%) and the Tacoma School District #10 Position 2 was cut down from six candidates to Jerry Thorpe (26.85%) and Catherine Ushka-Hall (26.48%) in a very close race.

The Chamber will once again be engaging its members with candidates for office through a series of candidate forums. The Fircrest candidates forum will be held on September 23 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Fircrest Recreation Center. The University Place candidates forum will be held the following week on September 30 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Curtis High School auditorium.



Blog Author: Mike Weinman