Kagi increases majority; Gagliardi tightens grip on second

By Evan Smith

ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

Incumbent Democratic State Rep. Ruth Kagi increased her majority of the primary election vote in the Wednesday afternoon count, with Republican Gary Gagliardi strengthening his position as the second qualifier for the general election.

      

New returns showed Kagi with more than 56 percent of the vote to more than 36 percent for a Gagliardi and less than 8 percent for Stan Lippmann, running as a Democrat despite being a Republican precinct committee officer.

The numbers reflect King County votes received by Tuesday morning and Snohomish County votes received by Tuesday afternoon.

The King County vote came from a countywide turnout of 27 percent, compared to the anticipated final turnout of 45 percent. King County votes in the 32nd District include those from Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and the Finn Hill area near Kirkland.

Snohomish County reported a countywide turnout as of Wednesday of 25.25 percent, compared to a projected 41 percent. Snohomish County results include ballots from Woodway, south Edmonds and unincorporated Esperance.

King County plans to update its vote count at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Snohomish County at 5 p.m. Thursday.

       Wednesday afternoon vote totals:

Stan Lippmann (Prefers Democratic Party)   --  1,730 votes,    7.79 %
Gary (G) Gagliardi (Prefers Republican Party) - 8,030 votes, 36.15 %
Ruth Kagi (Prefers Democratic Party)    -----    12,454 votes,  56.06 %
Total Votes             -----------------------  22,124   ---   100.00%