While Republicans did very well across the nation in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 election, Democrats prevailed in Highline. In some legislative races, Republicans were not even on the general election ballot.
Burien Planning Commission Chairman Joe Fitzgibbon appears to have defeated fellow Democrat Mike Heavey for the open 34th District House seat.
Vote totals and percentages are as of 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 4, (See www.highlinetimes for election vote updates)
King County Elections reported Fitzgibbon received 13,664 votes (55.13 percent) while Heavey garnered 10,831 votes (43.70 percent.) .
Fitzgibbon is a legislative aide for Rep. Sharon K. Nelson. Heavey is an aide for King County Councilwoman Jan Drago.
Nelson ran unopposed for the 34th District Senate seat vacated by Joe McDermott, who sought a King County Council position. Nelson received 97.44 percent of the vote.
In the other 34th District House race, incumbent Eileen L. Cody, a Democrat, beat Ray Carter, who said he "prefers reluctantly Republican Party." Cody got 20,573 votes (78.85 percent) and Carter got 5,407 votes (20.72 percent.)
McDermott was successful in his bid to replace Dow Constantine, who previously was elected King County Executive, on the King County Council. Drago was appointed to fill the council seat on an interim basis.
In the nonpartisan race, McDermott received 24,032 votes (67.84 percent) while former county employee Diana Toledo received 11,268 votes (31.81 percent.)
While judicial races usually don't receive much notice, the battle between Des Moines Assistant City Attorney Susan Mahoney and Judge Judith Eiler produced some sparks.
Mahoney will replace Eiler on the Southwest King County District Court bench.
During the campaign, Mahoney noted Eiler had been reprimanded twice by the state Judicial Conduct Commission for being rude to defendants. Eiler characterized herself as "a tough, no nonsense judge."
Eiler had served on the district court bench for 18 years.
Mahoney garnered 25,815 votes (69.82 percent) and Eiler received 10,965 votes (29.65 percent.)
In the Highline area's only contested state Senate race, incumbent Karen Keiser, a Democrat, appears to be on her way to retaining her 33rd district seat against Republican Jack Michalek.
Keiser got 12,004 votes (58.91 percent) while Michalek garnered 8,342 votes (40.94 percent.)
Incumbent 33rd district state representatives Tina Orwall and Dave Upthegrove ran unopposed. Orwall received 96.33 percent of the vote while Upthegrove received 96.57 percent.
In the 11th legislative district,. Zack Hudgins, a Democrat, won reelection to the House with 12,302 votes (71.43 percent.) Sarah Sanoy-Wright, who stated no party preference, opposed him. She garnered 4,850 votes (28.16 percent.)
In the other House race, incumbent Democrat Bob Hasegawa received 12,206 votes (67.98 percent.) His opponent, Republican John Potter received 5,713 votes (31.82 percent.)