Ryu leads Coday in late Tuesday returns

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2010

By Evan Smith

ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

Democrat Cindy Ryu continued to lead Republican Art Coday in early returns for the 32nd District State House of Representatives position that incumbent Democrat Maralyn Chase is vacating to run for the State Senate.

Returns posted at 10:30 p.m. show Ryu with 58.48 percent to 41.52 percent for Coday.

The new returns are from the Snohomish County part of the district, which includes Woodway, south Edmonds and unincorporated Esperance. Snohomish County was one of the few counties in Washington to post a second count Tuesday night.The second count allowed Snohomish County to include all ballots that had arrived at the County auditor’s office through Monday.

Earlier counts from both King and Snohomish counties included only ballots that elections officials had either received in the mail or in ballot drop boxes by Friday afternoon.

King County’s returns to be posted at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday will include all ballots received in the mail or in ballot drop boxes by Monday.

Snohomish County returns to be posted at 5 p.m., are expected to include all ballots that arrived Tuesday or were cast at accessible machines. The King County part of the District includes Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and the Finn Hill area near Kirkland.

Ryu’s portion of the vote is far ahead of her primary count of about 42 percent. Coday had about 38 percent in a three-way primary, with Democrat Doris McConnell taking the other 20 percent. Ryu appears to be headed for a political comeback after losing a bid for a second term on the Shoreline City Council a year ago.

Ryu was mayor during her last two years on the Shoreline Council. Coday is a Shoreline physician.

Vote Count as of 10:30 p.m. Tuesday:

Cindy Ryu (D) -- 15,674 - 58.48%

Art Coday (R) - 11,130 – 41.52%