Office-holders solidify their leads as vote-counting continues this week

Little has changed in the vote totals as ballot counting continues a week after the Nov. 8 election.

Incumbents in Congress and the state legislature have secure leads in their races, and all but one local measure appear to be passing, as well.

Snoqualmie’s Proposition 1 has apparently passed with almost 58 percent of the vote, 3,287 in favor to 2,358 against.

The M&O levy put forth by King County Fire Protection District 27 has almost 67 percent approval, with 1,788 votes in favor, 884 against.

Duvall’s proposed levy for ball fields, a school resource officer and IT needs is narrowly passing, 1,766 to 1,703, but the city’s advisory vote on banning fireworks has a definitive vote gap. Almost 60 percent of voters, 2,107, are opposed to a ban on fireworks, while 1,408 were in favor.

Although a simple majority of voters supported the proposed Regional Fire Authority merger on the ballot, the measure required a 60 percent supermajority to pass. Votes Wednesday totaled 58.71 percent in favor (9,009 votes) to 41.29 percent (6,337 votes) against.

In the state and U.S. legislature races, as of Wednesday afternoon U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D), had 682,179 votes, for 72.7 percent. Her opponent, Chris Vance (R), had 253,955 for 27 percent. The race also received 2,461 write-in votes.

First District Representative Suzan DelBene (D) had 85,371 votes, for 64.6 percent, while her opponent, Robert J. Sutherland (R) had 46,621 for 35.3 percent. There were also 188 write-ins.

Eighth District Representative Dave Reichert (R) had 99,130, or 55.9 percent, to his opponent, Tony Ventrella’s (D) 77,697 43.9 percent. The race also had 373 write-in votes.

Fifth Legislative District State Senator Mark Mullet (D) 35,187 votes for 50.5 percent. His opponent, Chad Magendanz (R) had 34,437 or 49.4 percent. There were also 85 write-in votes.

State5th District Representative Jay Rodne (R) had 35,401 votes, or 51.8 percent at Position 1. His opponent, Jason Ritchie (DFW) had 32,856 or 48.1 percent. The race also had 80 write-ins.

In the race for 5th District Representative Position 2, Paul Graves (R) secured 36,761 votes or 53.4 percent. His opponent Darcy Burner (D) had 31,930 votes, 46.4 percent. There were also 83 write-ins.

State Representative, Position 1 in the 45th Legislative District Roger Goodman (D) had 40,683 votes, or 62.2 percent, to challenger Ramiro Valderrama’s (GP) 24,652 votes or 37.68 percent. The race also had 86 write-ins.

Unopposed in Position 2, Representative Larry Springer (D) had 50,049 votes, 96.17 percent, against 1,992 write-in votes.