UPDATE: The race between Katrina Asay and Carol Gregory for the vacant District 30 state House seat is too close to call.
As of Nov. 10, the gap between the candidates had narrowed to less than 500 votes. Asay, a Republican, is leading with 50.56 percent (17,620 votes). Gregory, a Democrat, so far has 49.28 percent of the vote (17,175 votes).
Election results will be certified Nov. 23. According to the Secretary of State’s website, “mandatory recounts are required if the difference between the two candidates concerned is less than half of 1 percent and less than 2,000 votes.” To learn more about recount rules, click here.
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(Original report:)
In the open seat for state representative, Katrina Asay is leading Carol Gregory, 52 percent to 48 percent.
Asay, a Republican, is the mayor of Milton. Relatively unknown in Federal Way before the August primary, Asay was outspent by Gregory almost 2 to 1. Asay and her campaign manager, Joseph Atkinson, said they doorbelled nearly 14,000 homes. This effort, along with a message focused on balancing budgets, may have given Asay the edge. “If we didn’t have a pertinent message that registered with voters, we could doorbell every place in Federal Way and not win,” Asay said Thursday. “I think the independents keep you honest. You’ve got to really work and have a message and give them a reason to vote.”
If the results hold, Asay will take the position vacated by State Rep. Skip Priest, who is running for Federal Way mayor. She will resign her position as Milton’s mayor at the end of 2010. According to the Public Disclosure Commission, Asay raised $78,495 and spent $71,546. Gregory raised $166,336 and spent $155,371. Notable among Gregory’s donors is the House Democratic Campaign Committee, which contributed at least $36,500.
Gregory, a Democrat, first ran for the state House in 2008 against Priest. On Thursday, Gregory said it was too early for her to comment on the race’s outcome.
“I want to wait until I see some more returns,” she said. “I think it’s a little early to make determinations on the specifics.”
