Thursday, November 5, 2009

Washington State Ports: Election Results

Voters in the Seattle area have overwhelmingly re-elected John Creighton to the Port of Seattle governing board. Two new members to the port commission, Rob Holland and Tom Albro, were also elected in Tuesday's election. Though Creighton ran unopposed and garnered 98 percent of the vote, Holland and Albro both faced tough opponents. Holland beat out opponent David Doud by a 55 percent to 45 percent spread. Albro defeated opponent Max Vekich 57 percent to 43 percent.

In Tacoma, three seats on the port commission were up for grabs.

Incumbent Dick Marzano, running for his fifth term on the commission, posted a 61 percent to 38 percent victory over opponent Charles Kelly Creso. Connie Bacon, also an incumbent seeking her fourth term as a port commissioner, defeated rival Bill Casper 67 percent to 43 percent.

Newcomer Don Meyer, running for his first seat on the port commission, actually posted the strongest win of the night in the Tacoma races, defeating opponent Cathy Pearsall-Stipek 67 percent to 33 percent.

In Bellingham, political newcomer Mike McAuley stunned poll watchers by defeating 16-year member of the Bellingham port commission Doug Smith in a close 55 percent to 45 percent race. Voters also narrowly returned 18-year commission veteran Scott Walker to the board.
Walker defeated opponent John Blethen 52 percent to 48 percent.

Voters in Clark County elected unopposed candidate Nancy Baker to the Port of Vancouver USA commission, with 97 percent of the vote.