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2005 PRIMARY ELECTION ANALYSIS
Our 2005 primary election analysis page contains information/results from the 2005 primary election and what the results mean for November's general election. Vote percentages are listed below are from the official cumulative results. Only races that were competitive in the primary are analyzed below. Candidate names that are in bold are candidates we endorsed.
King County Executive
Karen Rispoli - 19.89%
Michael Nelson - 9.12%
Ron Sims - 70.48%
Analysis: Incumbent Executive Ron Sims, who we strongly support, is easily coasting to the general election. David Irons has claimed that the primary results don't bode well for Sims, but that is nonsense. Sims did well and can now move on to run a stronger campaign against Irons, who isn't a very good candidate.
Seattle Port Commission #1
Wen Wu Lee - 15.06%
John Creighton - 50.26%
Lawrence Molloy - 34.39%
Analysis: Incumbent Lawrence Molloy, a progressive first elected to the commission in 2001, is being beaten by a friend of Dino Rossi. John Creighton has raised over a hundred thousand dollars and has outperformed Molloy in the primary - a troubling sign. Molloy will need all the support he can get for November.
King County Sheriff
Sue Rahr - 65.90%
Jim Fuda - 16.92%
Greg Schmidt - 16.95%
Analysis: As expected, Sue is putting up a pretty good showing in the primary. Her opponents are split with less than 20% each. Greg Schmidt has a tiny lead over Jim Fuda and, at this point, it's too early to say which will be taking on Rahr in November. The possibility of having a recount in this race has been raised.
Seattle City Council #2
Darlene Madenwald - 13.79%
Richard Conlin - 49.75%
Paige Miller - 36.15%
Analysis: Richard Conlin is putting up strong numbers which clearly favor him to retain his seat in the general election. His challenger will be Paige Miller, who left the Seattle Port Commission to run against him. Miller will likely be a challenge to beat and Conlin shouldn't take his reelection for granted.
Seattle Monorail Board #8
Cindi Laws - 29.24%
Beth Goldberg - 48.65%
Stan Lippmann - 17.65%
Analysis: Beth Goldberg scored a knockout punch in the primary election, putting up a huge lead over incumbent Cindi Laws (both will advance). No doubt that had something to do with Laws' recent inappropriate comments about Goldberg's religion, but it also shows voter discontent with the monorail project.
King County Council Dist. 1
Bob Ferguson - 52.44%
Carolyn Edmonds - 47.36%
(1 Winner advances to gen. election)
Analysis: For a while, it was a tight race for District 1. After days of trading the lead, Bob Ferguson finally took the lead for the final time. As we originally predicted, he is the winner. We previously gave Edmonds our endorsement because of her track record and hard work. We will be watching Ferguson closely.
Seattle Port Commission #3
Christopher Cain - 18.96%
Richard "Rich" Berkowitz - 24.83%
Lloyd Hara - 28.09%
Analysis: In the race for the open seat, of five candidates, one of our candidates, Lloyd Hara, has the lead, trailed by Rich Berkowitz. They will likely face off in November. The 2 other candidates not shown, Peter Coates and John Kane, came in at 17% and 11%, respectively. It's a poor showing for Coates, but we'll take Hara.
Renton Municipal Court
Mychal Schwartz - 30.09%
Terry L. Jurado - 35.43%
Russ Wilson - 34.33%
Analysis: Mychal Schwartz may have an impressive list of endorsements, but it didn't help him in the primary election. He lost to incumbent Terry Jurado and challenger Russ Wilson, who are practically neck and neck. If Jurado puts more energy into defending his seat on the bench, he should win in November.
Seattle City Council #4
Linda Averill - 17.86%
Jan Drago - 42.73%
Casey Corr - 24.79%
Analysis: Socialist Linda Averill put up a good showing but won't be able to have the honor of taking on Drago in the general election. Casey Corr will, and we hope that Drago soundly beats him when they face off in November. We have the same advice for Drago we gave Conlin: do not take your seat for granted.
Seattle Monorail Board #9
Jim Nobles - 39.08%
Dick Falkenbury - 22.14%
Cleve Stockmeyer - 37.69%
Analysis: The primary winner, Jim Nobles, is a Republican who wants to shut the monorail down. While at first glance this seems to show huge discontent, if you add Falkenbury and Stockmeyer's votes together, Nobles is defeated. The primary election split the pro-monorail camp in 2. Stockmeyer will still have a chance in Nov.
King County Council Dist. 9
Steve Hammond - 44.25%
Reagan Dunn - 55.64%
(1 Winner advances to gen. election)
Analysis: The District 9 result is very interesting. While Steve Hammond was able to triumph last spring in the GOP convention, Reagan has soundly beaten him at the polls. Among the GOP faithful, he has name recognition (what a great name!) and a much larger war chest than Hammond. This isn't a big surprise.
Seattle Port Commission #4
Jack Jolley - 29.85%
Patricia "Pat" Davis - 44.10%
Richard Pope - 14.45%
Analysis: Our candidate, Jack Jolley, put up a pretty good showing against 20 year incumbent Pat Davis, who isn't a true progressive and defends the status quo. Jolley has his work cut out for him in November, but with a strong campaign we believe he could unseat Pat Davis. He could use some support for November.
City of Seattle Mayor
Al Runte - 21.99%
Christal Olivia Wood - 6.16%
Greg Nickels - 57.17%
Analysis: The primary election has taken care of five of Nickels' six challengers. The most well known and best qualified of the challengers, Al Runte, will face Nickels in the general election. While Nickels has our endorsement, we'd like to see Runte wage a fierce campaign and give Nickels a run for his money.
Seattle City Council #8
Dwight Pelz - 33.00%
Richard J McIver - 38.90%
Robert Rosencrantz - 27.80%
Analysis: The closest of the three city council races in the primary, the incumbent, Richard McIver, avoids being knocked out of the competition with 37% of the vote. Dwight Pelz wasn't far behind, but if McIver campaigns hard he could have the edge. It'll be interesting to watch both candidates face off this fall.
Snohomish County Council
Steve Hobbs - 35% M. Harrison - 35%
Dave Somers - 64% S. Smith - 63%
(Left - District 5, Right - District 1)
Analysis: Advancing to the general election are Somers in District 5 and Suzanne Smith in District 1. We supported Somers, but not Smith, although we will back her for the general election. Somers is looking forward to a rematch with Republican Jeff Sax, who beat him 4 years ago.
See the NPI Elections Center for more information and analysis on the 2005 Primary Election. For additional results, go to King County's results page or Snohomish County's results page. Note that results are unofficial until certified.
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