Election Analysis #5: Ryu-Tracey race would determine control of Shoreline Council

By Evan Smith

ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

With Shoreline City Councilwoman Cindy Ryu trailing challenger Shari Tracey Tuesday night, the group that has controlled the Council could lose the control it has had since Ryu and Councilwoman Janet Way won seats on the Council four years ago.

At the time, Ryu and Way joined with then-Councilman Bob Ransom and then-Councilwoman Maggie Fimia to form a controlling majority on the Council.
Two years ago, Ransom and Fimia lost, but new Councilmen Terry Scott and Chris Eggen helped Ryu and Way keep a controlling majority,
With Way losing in the primary, the group could keep control only if Ryu and one of her allies would win. Christopher Roberts, who, like Ryu and Way, was endorsed by the 32nd District Democrats, won, but a Ryu defeat would leave the group with only three votes. if Tracey defeats Ryu, she would be likely to join re-elected Councilman Keith McGlashan and holdover Councilwoman Doris McConnell in an opposition group.
Then, if Will Hall holds his lead over Patty Hale, he would be in an enviable position as the swing vote,
Hall has feet in both camps. He started the campaign as a critic of the Ryu-Way majority, but he made up with them when he sought the Democratic Committee's endorsement.
Many observers believed that Scott and Eggen would be more independent with Ryu and Way gone.
With a 3-3-1 breakdown on the Council, the group could have a hard time choosing a mayor when it reconvenes in January.