Marysville voters reject tax increase that would have beefed up police department

MARYSVILLE – A tax that would beef up the police department in Marysville was headed toward defeat after initial returns of the Aug. 2 primary election.

August 3, 2016 12:51 pm

MARYSVILLE – A tax that would beef up the police department in Marysville was headed toward defeat after initial returns of the Aug. 2 primary election.

The measure was failing 54 percent to 46 percent.

The tax, if passed, would add five police officers to the department. A sales tax of .01 percent would be added to the cost of items purchased in town, amounting to a dime on a $100 purchase. The tax was expected to bring in $750,000 a year.

Also failing, but by a much-closer margin, was a similar Snohomish County tax. It was losing by just 800 votes. That tax would bring Marysville about $1.5 million a year, but the measure was for .02 percent.

Statewide, about 24 percent of registered voters cast a ballot in the primary, compared with 16 percent in this county.

The top two in each race advance to the November general election. Some results could change as more votes are counted.

Federal contests

There were few surprises in this arena, despite complaints about gridlock in Congress nationwide.

For senator, Democrat Patty Murray will take on Republican Chris Vance.

For U.S. representative, Suzan DelBene-D will go against Robert Sutherland-R, and Rick Larsen-D will be up against Marc Hennemann-R.

State races

Gov. Jay Inslee-D, will be challenged, as expected, by Bill Bryant-R.

Lt. governor could be in interesting race as both Republican Marty McClendon and Democrat Cyrus Habib received 20 percent of the vote.

Secretary of State Kim Wyman-R had a surprisingly close race with Tina Podlodowski-D 48 percent to 46 percent.

In another close contest, this one for treasurer, both candidates moving on are Republicans. Duane Davidson received 25 percent of the vote and Michael Waite had 24 percent.

A Libertarian Party member has advanced to the general election in the battle for attorney general. Joshua Trumbell moves on to take on Bob Ferguson-D.

For public lands commissioner, Steve McLaughlin-R and Hilary Franz-D, advance, as do Mike Kreidler-D and Richard Schrock-R for insurance commissioner.

In the contest to replace retiring public schools superintendent Randy Dorn, the top two finishers moving on are Erin Jones, with 23 percent of the vote, and Chris Reykdal with 21 percent.

State Legislature

Incumbents also did extremely well in contests for state office. Sen. Kirk Pearson and Rep. June Robinson advance as they were unopposed.

In the other local Senate race, Barbara Bailey-R will move on against Angie Homola-D.

Moving on for state representative are: Dan Kristianson-R vs. Linda Wright-D; John Koster-R vs. Ronda Metcalf-D; Norma Smith-R vs. Michael Scott-L; Dave Hayes-R vs. Doris Brevoort-D; and Mike Sells-D vs. Bert Johnson-Independent.

For state Supreme Court, Barbara Madsen advances to take on Greg Zempel.

Snohomish County

For County Council, Sam Low-R received 51 percent of the vote, compared with Hans Dunshee-D at 48 percent.

Advancing in the Superior Court race are Cindy Larsen and Rico Tessandore.

And for Public Utility District commissioner, moving on are Tanya Olson and Gordon Sibley.

Local races

The only races involving the Marysville-Arlington areas were for precinct committee officers.

In Marysville, Kelly Wright-D beat Raymond Miller-D 83 percent to 17 percent.

Also, Rodolfo Corona-D beat Pattipeg Harjo-D 65 percent to 35 percent.

And for Tulalip PCO, Deborah Parker-D beat Jim DeBlasio-D 66 percent to 34 percent.