Early returns following Tuesday’s all-mail general election seem to doom any chance Fairwood has of forming a new city.
The latest results available by the Renton Reporter’s print deadline Wednesday showed Fairwood incorporation was failing with 45 percent yes vote to 55 percent no vote.
A spokesman for the pro-incorporation Fairwood Municipal Initiative couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday.
Bryce Nelson, with Go Vote No, which favors annexation to Renton, said Wednesday nothing was for sure yet. However, he said, “In the end, I think we are going to win.”
In the end, I think we are going to win. I wouldn’t necessarily say that anything is certain right now.
Zwicker holds insurmountable lead
Rich Zwicker was holding a strong lead in his race to retain his Renton City Council position in Tuesday’s general election.
After Wednesday’s vote totals were released, Zwicker had 63 percent of the vote to Jim Flynn’s 62 percent to 37 percent. The percentage had changed little from Tuesday night.
About a third of the mail-in ballots had been returned, but not yet counted as of Tuesday night.
Zwicker said Wednesday he’s “comfortable” with the results so far, but he stopped short of declaring victory.
The showing, he said, “shows that the citizens are happy with the direction the city is taking and the city’s leadership. I am happy to be a part of that.”
Pam Teal holds onto lead
Renton School District director Pam Teal was ahead of her challenger Jim Grossnickle by about 10 percent when Wednesday’s totals were released, according to the King County Elections office.
Teal had 55.10 percent of the vote and Grossnickle 44.64 percent.
About 27.08 percent of the total registered voter ballots had been counted by Wednesday.
Teal was appointed to replace Marcie Maxwell early this year.
Director Albert Talley ran unopposed for director Position 2 and took 98.54 percent of the vote with 1.46 percent write-ins as of Wednesday.
The next results will be posted at about 4:30 p.m. today. Election results will be certified on Nov. 24.
