Constantine defeats Hutchison for King County executive, other results

King County Councilmember Dow Constantine defeated former KIRO news member Susan Hutchison in the race for King County executive.

Constantine earned 57.01 percent of the vote while Hutchison earned 42.76 percent.

“Although we are encouraged to see tens of thousands of additional votes in our favor this afternoon, we are certain the final outcome in this race will remain the same,” Hutchison said in a statement released Nov. 4. “This afternoon I called my opponent, Dow Constantine, to congratulate him on his election to King County Executive. Because the new Executive has only a few weeks until taking office, I want him to be able to move forward quickly to accomplish an orderly transition.”

Hutchison held her election night party at the Bellevue Hyatt Hotel.

“I wanted free parking,” joked Hutchison. “There is no free parking in Seattle. We wanted it to be a place where everyone could come.”

But Hutchison was still campaigning up to the last moment: “We campaigned on the issues and he campaigned on false and misleading attacks.”

Other local changes will take place as a result of the election. The Evergreen Hospital Commissioner, Position 4, for the first time will be held by a doctor. Chuck Pilcher, a former emergency room physician defeated his friend Rex Lindquist for the position by a spread of 73 to 27 percent. This was the first time in 16 years that Lindquist had been challenged for the position.

The Finn Hill Park and Recreation District saw just one race contested as Mathew Pruitt defeated Rhonda Mishalanie for the Commissioner Position No. 5 by a margin of 78 to 22 percent. Both Kristen Lloyd, for Position No. 3 and Rick Smith, for Position No. 2 ran unopposed, each taking 99 percent of the ballots cast in their respective races.

The Houghton neighborhood gave a big vote of support to their community council, voting 71 to 29 percent to keep the council. All the members of the council won reelection as Rick Whitney (Pos. 1), Betsy Pringle (Pos. 2), Bill Goggins (Pos. 3), Lora M. Hein (Pos. 4), John Kappler (Pos. 5), Elsie Weber (Pos. 6) and Kathleen McMonigal (Pos. 7) all ran unopposed.

Lake Washington School District Position No. 4 went to incumbent Doug Eglingtonb who received 78 percent of the vote against challenger Julie Wright, who had 21 percent but had dropped out of the race just after declaring her candidacy.