King County is still counting, but the early votes are in. Here’s how local candidates and measures were doing as of Election Day, Nov. 5. This story will be updated daily at rentonreporter.com. On election night King County Elections Office estimated they had 130,000 ballots left to count in King County.

Candidates for Renton City Mayoral race, that squeezed out of a tight primary only a handful of votes apart, Armondo Pavone and Marcie Maxwell were close, but Pavone had the lead. On election night Pavone had 54.23 percent with 5,635 votes, Maxwell had 45.38 percent with 4,715 votes.

Pavone thanked his family in a speech the night of the election, and his campaign team.

“I’m optimistic, the results are looking fantastic. The important thing is even if I were to lose, I have the support of fellow councilmembers and former councilmembers. When you go through a campaign like this you learn a lot about yourself and it’s been a positive experience to watch Renton gather around,” Pavone said. “I firmly believe that the last 10 years and next 10 years will define Renton, for the next 50 years.”

Maxwell was not immediately available for a comment.

For Renton City Council Pos. 3, Valerie O’Halloran was ahead with 4,903 votes and 51.05 percent, and James Alberson close behind with 4,665 votes and 48.57 percent.

“I’d like to thank every voter in Renton for participating in this election, and I’m so grateful for everyone who supported me and my campaign. I’m honored to have received the most votes so far,” O’Halloran stated in an email. “I am excited about the opportunity to continue to build on my two decades of service to Renton.”

Councilmember Ryan McIrvin was ahead for his seat with 6,605 votes, 69.82 percent. His opponent Maria Spasikova had 2,822 votes at 29.83 percent.

“I’m happy to see voters had confidence in my first four years on council,” McIrvin said on election night.

Running for Council President Don Persson’s seat are Kim-Khanh Van and Thomas Trautmann. Van was leading far ahead election night with 5,938 votes, or 62.14 percent. Trautmann had 3,593 votes at 37.6 percent.

Renton’s school board races

In school board races, District 1 Director Alisa Louie, incumbent, is running for reelection against Joe Todd. Louie has 7,821 votes with 65.39 percent. Todd had 4,097 votes with 34.26 percent.

Stefanie McIrvin and Kristen Deskin emerged from the primary to run for director Lynn Desmarais’s position in the general election. Stefanie McIrvin was winning over Deskin with 69.6 percent, 8,287 of the vote on election night. Deskin had 30.04 percent with 3,577 votes.

“I’m really humbled and grateful for all the support I’ve received from friends and family. I’m really grateful to my mentors and I praise my opponent Kristen Deskin for putting herself out there and her commitment to education in Renton,” Stefanie McIrvin said.

Incumbent Gloria Hodge is running for reelection against Suzette Espinoza-Cruz. Hodge was leading Espinoza-Cruz on election night with 57.26 percent of the vote, or 6,787 votes. Espinoza-Cruz had 42.34 percent, with 5,019 votes.

“I’m very pleased with the outcome of the election. I appreciate the confidence the voters have in my work with the Renton School District. My efforts during the last four years is a big factor for my win and the achievement our district has had for public education,” Hodge stated in an email. “I’m happy to continue working with my colleagues, the new board member and the Renton School District Administration, for the best outcomes of our students. Thank you to my family, friends and collaborators for your support and volunteering your time to my successful campaign. I’m looking forward to getting back to work.”

The Renton School District Building for Excellence Bonds to Improve, Construct and Renovate School Facilities bond that failed in February was passing election night with 66.04 percent approval, but still needs about 4,000 more voters to validate it. The bond requires 18,578 voters for or against, and 60 percent approval. The measure previously failed due to low voter turnout.

The city of Renton boundary had a 19.86 percent voter turnout on election night, with 11,005 ballots counted of 55,419 registered voters. The school district boundary had a 20.47 percent voter turnout, with 14,449 ballots counted of 70,590 voters.

Photo by Haley Ausbun. Election Day in Renton, Nov. 5 2019.

Photo by Haley Ausbun. Election Day in Renton, Nov. 5 2019. Election Office staff take a ballot from a drive-by voter.

Photo by Gary Palmer. The crowd at Renton Pavillion Events Center including city elected officials, erupted in cheers as Armondo Pavone announced he was ahead in the initial election night results by 918 votes.

Photo by Gary Palmer. The crowd at Renton Pavillion Events Center including city elected officials, erupted in cheers as Armondo Pavone announced he was ahead in the initial election night results by 918 votes. Photo by Gary Palmer, the crowd at Renton Pavillion Events Center including city elected officials, erupted in cheers as Armondo Pavone announced he was ahead in the initial election night results by 918 votes.