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.
