Ballot count update brings shift among city council election leaders

Election results are certified Nov. 23.

By Olivia Sullivan • November 8, 2021 5:05 pm

Tides are changing in the Federal Way City Council elections as ballots continue to be counted.

Federal Way City Council Position 2 candidate Erica Norton rests at 59% of the votes to incumbent Greg Baruso’s 40% of the votes, as of Nov. 10.

In the Position 4 race, incumbent Hoang Tran pulled ahead with 50% of the votes. Challenger Daniel Miller, who was leading the week after the election, is now at 49% of the votes, as of the Nov. 10 ballot count update.

For Position 5, challenger Jack Walsh holds steady at 50% of votes while incumbent Leandra Craft — who was appointed to the council in 2020 — is closing the gap with 49% of the votes.

In Position 6, former Mayor Jack Dovey is leading with 51% of votes, while challenger Renae Seam has 48% of votes.

Councilmembers Craft and Baruso were appointed to their positions in 2021 and 2020, respectively. If the King County election results hold, the newly elected council members will take office once results are certified Tuesday, Nov. 23, said city communications director Steve McNey.

The city is planning to host a ceremonial swearing-in for incoming council members at the Dec. 7 council meeting, he said.

So far, 16,313 ballots have been counted in Federal Way, as of Nov. 8. Overall, this is a 30.8% voter turnout, according to King County Elections.

For the school board Director No. 1 position, Quentin Morris remains just barely ahead with 50.7% of votes while challenger Tiffany LaFontaine has garnered 49% of the votes so far.

In the Director No. 4 position, incumbent Trudy Davis maintains her lead with 54% of the votes to challenger Jim Storvick’s 45% of votes.

Election results will be certified Tuesday, Nov. 23.