WR-backed Alex Pedersen won his race

In January, the Seattle City Council will have four new Councilmembers, including WR-backed Alex Pedersen who was elected from District 3. Because he will finish the unexpired term of Councilmember Rob Johnson, Pedersen will take office as soon as the race is certified.

In addition, all three incumbents who sought reelection were returned to the Council by the voters in their districts.

In 5 of the 7 districts, a labor-backed candidate squared off against a progressive candidate supported by the business community. In four of those districts, the candidate supported by the business community lost. The lone exceptions were the reelection of Councilmember Debora Juarez (who was supported by business and labor) and Alex Pedersen.

In other noteworthy election results:

• Voters approved Initiative 976 that will reduce vehicle registration fees. Seattle and King County, whose voters disapproved I-976, announced legal action to block the outcome on the grounds that the initiative was unconstitutional. Opponents say the results will be a setback for transportation improvement projects across the state.
• State Legislature appointees Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy and Sen. Liz Lovelett, D-Anacortes, handily won election. The outcome maintains the party makeup of the Legislature: Democrats hold a 57-41 edge in the House and a 28-21 edge in the Senate.
• Spokane voters overwhelmingly approve a charter amendment that bans a local income tax. Though there is no such proposal, proponents wanted to guard against a campaign to institute an income tax, which has been held as unconstitutional in the state.

Click here King County election results and here for statewide results.