Primary run-off election results for Kirkland City Council position No. 5 show Amy Walen and Karen Tennyson in the lead to advance to the general election in November as of 5 p.m. on Monday. The three-way race includes Matt Gregory, who is in third, with the top two candidates advancing to the general election in November.

“I am disappointed but it is understandable,” said Gregory. “I don’t see any major changes coming in the numbers. When you have three people running, your chances are not good and you have to be prepared to win and lose. But it felt good to get the percentage I got.”

Walen holds a solid first-place lead with 2,980 votes or 42 percent.

“I am excited. I think we will see a meaningful debate on the issues,” said Walen. “I was thinking that there would be a bigger turnout with an all mail-in-ballot.”

That sentiment was expressed by the other candidates as well.

“We had 85 percent turnout last September,” said Gregory. “There was a lot of apathy.”

Tennyson is in second with 2,421 votes or 34 percent. Gregory has 1,736 votes or 24 percent. There are 25 write-in votes in this race that shows 7,527 ballots counted out of 29,058 registered voters.

“I think it speaks highly for people with experience,” said Tennyson, noting that her and Gregory’s totals were nearly 58 percent of the vote.

Gregory said that he had no regrets about the campaign.

“We had a good platform. We got our signs out and mailers out early and got the top endorsements,” said Gregory. “We just couldn’t keep up with the outside money and we were running against two political machines.”

Gregory would not say that he concedes the loss or endorse either of his opponents.

“I feel that Amy is not qualified,” said Gregory, adding that Walen has never been on any neighborhood boards or held an elected position. “She is just very green.”

Walen said that she hopes if Gregory does not come back in the polls that he will stay involved in the community.