District 30 state rep.: Freeman unseats Asay; Kochmar leads Flygare

In the two races for 30th District state representative, early results show Democrat Roger Freeman leading incumbent Republican Katrina Asay for position 2, while the position 1 race between Republican Linda Kochmar and Democrat Roger Flygare is too close to call.

By Andy Hobbs • November 7, 2012 2:28 am
Roger Freeman
Roger Freeman

In the two races for 30th District state representative, early results show Republican Linda Kochmar leading Democrat Roger Flygare for position 1, while in the position 2 race, Democrat Roger Freeman leads incumbent Republican Katrina Asay.

Kochmar is edging Flygare by about 500 votes, with 50.9 percent voting for the Federal Way City Councilwoman, according to results on the Secretary of State website. Those election numbers take into account a handful of Pierce County voters from the Milton and Pacific areas.

At an election night gathering at the Courtyard Marriott, Kochmar expressed confidence that she will win the race. When asked what she plans to do after ending a long campaign that began in Nov. 2011, she replied, “Sleep.”

Kochmar and Flygare are running to replace Democrat Mark Miloscia, who ran for state auditor instead of re-election.

Flygare, whose campaign came under fire this fall over inaccurate statements related to his military service, has not conceded the race.

“We knew that this would be a tight race, and we expect to see my opponent’s early lead shrink significantly over the next several days,” Flygare said in an email.

Freeman, a Federal Way City Councilman, is about to unseat Asay after capturing 54.58 percent of the vote, according to election results on the Secretary of State website.

Asay was elected to the Legislature in 2010. She replaced Skip Priest, who was elected mayor of Federal Way. Freeman was elected to the city council in 2009.

At an election night gathering at Mariachi Alegre restaurant, Freeman credited his campaign team and supporters for the impending victory.

“I feel good for the people who stood with me and by me,” said Freeman, who complimented Asay for running a clean campaign.

“I just wish Roger all the best,” Asay said. “I appreciate all the support.”

(Pictured: Linda Kochmar, center, with her election night supporters at the Courtyard Marriott.)

SPENDING

According to the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) website, Kochmar raised $143,379 and spent $140,836. Flygare raised $136,506 and spent $126,160. Asay raised $156,785 and spent $132,028. Freeman raised $107,305 and spent $102,228.

Learn more at www.pdc.wa.gov.

RESULTS

Ballots in this all-mail election are still being counted. Results will be updated daily, with certification slated for Nov. 27 in King County. Learn more at kingcounty.gov/elections.