📌PINNED: This is our quick take on the election results. Keep scrolling for more party updates.


HARRELL'S LEADING WITH GONZÁLEZ PROBABLY EVENTUALLY HOPEFULLY RIGHT BEHIND HIM, AND THE CITY ATTORNEY'S RACE IS FUCKING WILD

A couple caveats before we get going: The following results represent a portion of the ballots returned in this election. We're only looking at 17.2% voter turnout right now, and as of 6 pm today King County Elections registered a 24% turnout. King County estimates that this initial drop represents about half of the total ballots left to count, and they'll drop more results every day throughout the week.

At first glance, the biggest news is that batshit Republican Ann Davison is leading the Seattle City Attorney's race by two points over three-term incumbent Pete Holmes, 34.64% to 32.8%. Stranger endorsed abolitionist candidate Nicole Thomas-Kennedy is running a smidge behind Holmes with 32.15% of the current vote share. Unless Holmes's last-minute campaigning moved the needle at all, we expect NTK's numbers to improve over the course of the week, which would give Seattle the choice between an abolitionist and a living and breathing KOMO news segment.

In the race for Seattle mayor, former Seattle City Council President Bruce Harrell starts with a 9-point lead over current Seattle City Council President Lorena González, 38% to 29%. Nobody else is even close—former Chief Seattle Club director Colleen Echohawk is running in third with 8%, followed by former State Rep. Jessyn Farrell in fourth (again—she came in 4th on primary night in 2017, though this time it's a close fourth). Guy who's dad used to be mayor Art Langlie is running fifth with 6%, followed by former Seattle Deputy Mayor Casey Sixkiller with 4% and then architect Andrew Grant Houston at 2.6%. In 2017, NIkkita Oliver and Cary Moon didn't move that much—Oliver jumped up a point and Moon inched up less than half a point—but last-minute ballots could go González's way depending on whether the last-minute progressive voter is using our endorsement guide or looking for the left-most candidate in the field. On our end, our highest readership on the post overwhelmingly came in the last three days.

Fremont Brewing co-owner Sara Nelson currently leads the City Council Position 9 race over Nikkita Oliver, 42% to 35%. Wouldn't be surprised if Oliver's numbers jumped up over the course of the next few days. Brianna Thomas, GonzĂĄlez's chief of staff, will begin the week with 14% of the vote share. She picked up a couple later endorsements, though, so that number could improve as well.

No surprises in City Council Position 8. Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda leads with 55% of the vote, and someone named Kenneth Wilson is second with 18%. We should google him later.

Third-term incumbent Executive Dow Constantine leads state Senator Joe Nguyen 54% to 29.69% (nice). That's decent for Constantine—he cracked 50%—but not a terrible position for Nguyen, who didn't spend nearly as much as the incumbent for his share of the vote so far. We'll be looking at this race second (after the city attorney's races!!!) throughout the week.

Best Starts for Kids, a levy to raise over $870 million to strengthen the county's safety net, will likely coast to victory. The levy is passing right now with 59% of the vote.

Speaking of kids, Vivian Song Maritz is leading her race against incumbent interim school board director Erin Dury and Laura Marie Rivera in District 4; 56% to 11% to 23%, respectively. We guess not enough people cared about her moving into the district and then moving again during the campaign after first moving into another district to run!

And we know who's happy about Michelle Sarju leading the school board race in District 5 with 82% of the vote: her liberal opponent, Crystal S. Liston, who pledged her vote to Sarju during the endorsement meeting with the SECB. Liston somehow pulled in 4% of the votes, with conservative Dan Harder nabbing 14% so far.

The county council races are looking mildly interesting. Nineteen-year incumbent Kathy Lambert is leading Democrat Sarah Perry 41% to 34%. If you add Democrat Joe Cohen's 24% to Perry's total, that's 58% of the district so far choosing someone other than the incumbent. Lots of shit could change, but if we were Lambert, we'd be feeling a little doomed at the moment.

The Democratic challengers running against ancient incumbent Republican Pete von Reichbauer and slightly less ancient incumbent Republican Reagan Dunn don't look as good. PVR leads District 7 with 56% of the vote. Stranger-endorsed candidate Saudia J. Abdullah is running last with 12%, trailing Lydia Assefa-Dawson at 16%, and Dominique Torgerson pulling in second with 16.3%.

Meanwhile, in District 9, Dunn leads with 57% of the vote share, followed by Renton City Councilmember Kim-Khanh Van with 21%, Chris Franco with 16%, and Ubax Gardheere with 5%.

PETE HOLMES IS ALLEGEDLY HAVING A GLASS OF WINE AND WATCHING THE OLYMPICS

9:30 PM


We don't have proof of this yet, but Pete Holmes's comms guy, Matt Wieck, said wine and the games were the three-term incumbent Seattle City Attorney's "gameplan" after the returns came in tonight. (Get it? "Gameplan" and the "games?" SEND THIS MAN TO COMMUNITY COURT.) "That's what you do when you have to go to work tomorrow morning and watch the ballots return" for the rest of the week, Wieck added.

Wieck said the longtime public servant is "feeling alright at this point" with the idea of trailing a batshit Republican by two points and basically tying an abolitionist defense attorney who battled his own prosecutors for four years. Wieck said a definitive outcome is "pretty hard to tell at this point." Given that Ann Davison (the batshit Republican) is leading the race right now with a little less than 35%, we asked Wieck to ask Holmes what he thought a Davison administration might look like. We'll update if we hear back and if we're not doing other posts by then.

32% OF SEATTLE VOTED FOR THE ABOLITION OF MISDEMEANORS

9:25 PM


Nicole Thomas-Kennedy hangs out with supporters of her abolitionist campaign. Punishment isnt solving the problem. Its fucking stupid.
Nicole Thomas-Kennedy hangs out with supporters of her abolitionist campaign. "Punishment isn't solving the problem. It's fucking stupid."

The party for supporters of Nicole Thomas-Kennedy in her abolitionist race for city attorney soon became a quiet, intimate gathering. Rather than give a speech, NTK chatted individually with supporters and thanked them for their support. Taste of Caribbean owner Carlene Comrie let the SECB know she was delighted to host the celebration for the candidate, who lives just around the corner, in the junction between the International District and the Central District.

The results showed a tight three-way race with Ann Davison leading with around 35% of the current vote, Pete Homes with 33%, and Thomas-Kennedy not far behind with 32%.

“The results seem positive,” Thomas-Kennedy told the SECB, noting that about a third of the Seattle electorate supports not prosecuting non-violent misdemeanors. “That's amazing and encouraging. People are done with this shit.”

“Prosecuting non-violent misdemeanors is counter-intuitive, harmful, and it’s only done in the U.S. It’s not justice,” she said as the party dispersed and people said their goodbyes.

When asked what sort of race it might be if Thomas-Kennedy faced Ann Davison, whose platform calls for increasing prosecutions, Thomas-Kennedy was optimistic she would do well in November. “Because I’m talking about actual solutions, not the same old shit. I just don’t understand these people who say, ‘I want to have compassion but I want to feel safe.’ There’s just no real sense of compassion in that. Punishment isn’t solving the problem. It’s fucking stupid.”

A supporter named Ish agreed: “Yeah, people who commit non-violent crimes don’t need incarceration, they need services and help.”

The results will continue to trickle in throughout the week, with late-breaking votes that trend young and progressive possibly favoring NTK. Whether NTK, longtime city attorney fixture Pete Holmes or Seattle Police Officers Guild-fangirl Ann Davison are on the ballot remains to be seen. It won’t be a boring race in November.


ZAHILAY SAYS THIS IS THE WILDEST ELECTION PARTY HE'S EVER BEEN TO

9:21 PM


Rell Be Free amps up the crowd
Rell Be Free amps up the crowd

Seattle is one step closer to having a Black, nonbinary, queer femme on its City Council!

City Council candidate Nikkita Oliver's election night party was a night of thunder, lightning, rain, and hail (which started during JusMoni's set, which was kinda hot), and featured the lyrical talents of poet Ebo Barton, Talaya, Gabriel Teodros, Prometheus Brown, and Rell Be Free. Rapper Prometheus Brown got the crowd bouncing with his set, and everyone sang along with the chorus to "(West Coast) Time." Everyone was celebrating Oliver's good second-place showing.

In between performances, Oliver brought up King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, who said, "This is the wildest election party I've ever been to."


Zahilay applauded Oliver and their team. He recalled meeting Oliver during his own campaign. At that time, they grilled Zahilay on if he would align with marginalized communities. "I know Nikkita and I are the same age, but they are really my mentor in politics," he said.

He rattled off a list of Oliver's accomplishments and community organizing with #NoNewYouthJail and Decriminalize Seattle. Impressive feats for someone outside of public office. "What would they be able to accomplish if they had the backing of the whole city?" Zahilay asked. "The race is gonna be really close, so keep showing up ... eventually we're going to have Nikkita for Nine."

Oliver then introduced rapper Rell B Free, who they've known since they were 19. The two of them routinely organized open mics and cultural spaces for youth across Seattle, Oliver said. Free stressed the need to work even harder in campaigning for Oliver.

"I'm looking forward to being a microphone and an amplifier for you in City Council," Oliver said, closing out the night before DJ DV One launched a set of soul music. "My team will take a rest for a couple of weeks, but you best believe we're going to hit the ground running."


JOE NGUYEN THINKS 30 IS A GREAT PLACE TO BE

8:50 PM


Heres to 30%, Joe!
Here's to 30%, Joe! (Also, hello to that Chihuahua.)

;)
;)

After the first round of the election results dropped, state Senator Joe Nguyen ripped a shot of Jameson and picked up a glass of Pilsner. He was trailing three-term incumbent Dow Constantine by 23.5 points, but he was feeling good. "Thirty [percent] is where we were expecting to be tonight," he said over the phone. It's certainly enough to get him into the general election race.

"The fact that they spent $1.1 million and we spent around $160,000 at this point and to be in contention is a great place to be," he added. Progressive voters tend to vote late, and Nguyen expects Constantine's lead to narrow some in the coming days.

After "thousands" of phone calls, Nguyen said "people want change at this point."

He continued: "Folks don't give a shit if you're progressive or liberal or whatnot, they just want to see someone get shit done. That's what we did in the Leg[islature], and that's what we're going to do here as well."


BRUCE SAYS DRINKS ARE ON HIM TONIGHT, SO DON'T MIND IF WE DO

8:45 PM


Harrell talking about uniting people, presumably.
Harrell talking about uniting people, probably.

"People are tired of this fighting in Seattle!" said Harrell on the mic to the enthusiastic crowd before him. As reporters and photojournalists tried to keep their equipment safe from cold raindrops, Harrell brought his family up front with him to celebrate the victory of what he called the "first step" to the general.

In a relatively short speech, Harrell quickly touched on what he sees as key issues in the city: fixing homelessness, changing the culture of the Seattle Police Department, and revitalizing businesses in Seattle. "I will have the smartest talent in the city with me—lord knows I need it," he joked. The crowd obliged with scattered laughter.

Before Harrell ended his remarks, he said drinks were on him tonight, then closed out with: "Onward to the general!" The crowd chanted, "BRUCE! BRUCE! BRUCE!" before the candidate got gobbled up by reporters.

It only rained a wee bit more as a mass of people moved toward the (now free?) bar and the sky turned a vibrant orange-pink. Many supporters said they were excited about the results and believed Bruce to be the only candidate who could bring back the Seattle they knew and loved.

As dusk settled in, Harrell and his party seemed relaxed and confident in this little alcove in Leschi.


LORENA GONZÁLEZ IS READY TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING TOMORROW MORNING, BUT FIRST LET’S HAVE A BEER

8:30 PM


GonzĂĄlez embraces her husband.
GonzĂĄlez embraces her husband.

“We are ready to do what it takes to close the gap between the rich and the rest of us,” Lorena González shouted amidst a throng of supporters immediately after the first ballot drop. González was in a strong second place with about 29% of the vote behind local hairbrush Bruce Harrell; if those numbers hold—they're likely to go up, considering late-voting Stranger voters—they’ll face off in the general election in November.

“This is what democracy looks like,” González told her supporters as they waved signs. In a clear reference to Harrell, she declared, “Seattle voters are sending a powerful message of change 
 [they’re saying] no to the corporate-backed status quo.”

GonzĂĄlez reiterated her frequent promise to stand up to wealthy corporations, and when the SECB caught up with her after the rally, she noted that the first item on her to-do list tomorrow is joining SEIU 1199 healthcare workers for a solidarity rally. (UW workers are currently renegotiating their contract.)

González's voice broke for a moment as she reflected on the difficulty of the past year — particularly after her mother-in-law passed away in a fire that destroyed the family home. “We lost one of our family members during this campaign,” she said. “We lost our home.” After a deep breath, she continued, “But we did not lose our will to dream and to fight for a community that is going to lift all of us up. That’s what tonight is about.”

The rally ended with a chant of “when we fight
” followed by a cheer of “we win!” González embraced her husband and then shouted to the throng, “let’s drink beer!”


REACTION FROM NICOLE THOMAS-KENNEDY CAMPAIGN: HOLY FUCK, A THREE-WAY RACE?

8:25 PM


Nicole Thomas-Kennedy reacts to the new that the city attorney race is a three way tie, with Ann Lock Em Up Davison with a narrow lead.
Nicole Thomas-Kennedy reacts to the news that the city attorney race is a three way tie, with Ann "Lock 'Em Up" Davison with a narrow lead.

The reaction was a bit confused at Nicole Thomas-Kennedy's election night party when the first King County election results for the Seattle city attorney race dropped, indicating there was basically a three-way tie between abolitionist NTK, current city attorney Pete Holmes and Ann "Lock 'Em All Up" Davison. Davison held a slim lead with 29,401 votes, Pete Holmes was next with 27,844 votes, and NTK was close behind in third with 27,288.

"Oh god, I don't get to sleep this week," moaned deputy campaign manager Kyler Parris. "But actually, this bodes well for us... if we're in a dead heat on day one, I'll take it."

As Parris went out to announce the results on the patio still damp from a quick downpour, someone from the crowd yelled, "Ann Davison
 is first?!?" But Parris quickly boosted Thomas-Kennedy's supporters' enthusiasm by asking how many those at the party had cast votes in the last couple of days
 meaning that votes like theirs hadn't yet been counted. Nearly a third raised their hands.

Kyler Parris, deputy campaign manager talks to the crowd. Oh god, I dont get to sleep this week.
Kyler Parris, deputy campaign manager talks to the crowd. "Oh god, I don't get to sleep this week."

As people mulled about, not sure if they should be elated or terrified, the SECB noted the conversation was definitely of the astonished variety. "Who the hell is voting for Ann Davison?" someone implored. "God, that fucking sucks, though. It's so creepy."

But another campaign volunteer made an astute observation: "We already have 32% of the electorate on board for abolition. That's incredible."


LOOKS LIKE NIKKITA'S GOING TO THE GENERAL! THUNDER AND LIGHTNING!

8:25 PM


Nikkita called up their team to announce the results.
Nikkita called up their team to announce the results.

The results were announced to DMX's Ruff Ryders' Anthem: Seattle City Council candidate Nikkita Oliver had 35% of the current votes counted in their race, behind Sara Nelson at 42%.

The SECB was hunkered down in a covered area of a metal shop as thunder, lightning, and rain happened! The results came in, rain scattered over the dirt and gravel lot, BUT THE PEOPLE WERE STILL DANCING!

And in case you were wondering: The SECB's swamp ass dried!

Nikkita and their team.
Nikkita and their team.


HARRELL'S ON TOP

8:20 PM


Harrell and his wife Joanne just before the results were announced and the rain came in.
Harrell and his wife Joanne just before the results were announced and the rain came in. SECB

Big ominous clouds that occasionally puked big globs of rain threatened the jubilant vibe of leading mayoral candidate Bruce Harrell's election party at a swanky waterfront bistro in Leschi.

Supporters, dressed in Harrell's team colors of bright orange and green, nommed on baked salmon and in-season fruit as a relaxed Harrell milled around the party with a Voss water bottle.

Just a little after 8 pm, a campaign worker shouted out, "BRUCE IS AT 38%!!!" and the crowd lost its collective shit. (GonzĂĄlez is in second; more from that party in a second.)

In the corner, Seattle Public Schools candidate Vivian Song Maritz, who was endorsed by Harrell, screamed at her excellent results in the race, cruising in at an impressive 56%. Dodging the rain globs, the crowd of supporters gathered together in the corner to hear from Bruce about his strong showing in the race.


IT'S RAINING ON GONZÁLEZ'S PARADE AND NOBODY IS READING INTO IT AT ALL

8 PM


Screen_Shot_2021-08-03_at_7.50.26_PM.png

The vibes were chill at Jellyfish Brewing — it felt more like a mid-summer patio party than a tense wait for ballots to drop. González’s supporters were comfortably nursing ales and charcuterie plates, and conversation bounced between electoral politics and which Star Trek franchise is best.

Alex Koren, González’s campaign manager, busied himself setting up tables and chairs to accommodate the gradually swelling crowd — around 50 people as of 7:30 pm, including a few kids doing their best to amuse themselves. González was expected to arrive a little after 8pm.

“I’m ready for this to be done and ready to go to bed,” Koren said, taking a moment to lean on a picnic table before leaping back into action. “And excited! We have every reason to be confident.”

Despite his fatigue, Koren remained focused on what comes next (assuming González makes it through). He’s optimistic about labor lining up behind her in the general election, since she’s already earned the support of many labor unions. He also indicated that González’s focus on progressive causes would set her apart from other frontrunners, particularly if facing off against Bruce Harrell. “Housing is too expensive,” he said. “You’ve got a lot of candidates talking about that, then you’ve got a candidate over there
” he trailed off, letting the sentiment — and the knowledge that Harrell has been wishy-washy on ending the apartment ban — settle.

As the minutes ticked on, the crowd anxiously kept checking phones for ballot counts, and then a flash of lightning and a crack of thunder made everyone jump, then laugh in relief. Thick raindrops started to fall the moment González approached, but spirits remained high — a pretty orange glow bathed the patio and hopeful smiles.


NOT A SHITTY PERSON IN SIGHT

7:50 PM


đŸŽ”tech bro, tech bro, take me to your condođŸŽ”
đŸŽ”tech bro, tech bro, take me to your condođŸŽ” SECB

The Stranger Election Control Board cannot confirm with any certainty that Nicole Thomas-Kennedy, who's running for city attorney, has the best taste in election party bands, but we suspect Childbirth, the all-women punk band dressed in hospital gowns which was grinding out songs like "Tech Bro"—tech bro, tech bro, take me to your condo—certainly has to be one of the evening's high points.

A buzzing young crowd in yellow "Justice Not Jails" t-shirts nibbled on jerk chicken and jojos while nursing bottles of White Stripe at the outdoor patio of Taste of the Caribbean. Things got a bit raucous when another band, The Black Ends, thrashed out some dark, gnarly chords.

Nicole Thomas-Kennedy has a front row view of Childbirth, a punk band and friends of the cut attorney candidate, who once played in her own band, Shitty Person.
Nicole Thomas-Kennedy has a front row view of Childbirth, a punk band and friends of the attorney candidate, who once played in her own band, Shitty Person.

One supporter, who goes by the name Ish and is a member of the Black Action Coalition, spoke earlier in the evening to the crowd about why NTK's support for decriminalizing misdemeanors was critical to the defund movement and racial equity in Seattle. Later, Ish told the SECB that's why he supports NTK: "Resources before incarceration. I think the current city council is just carrying for the mayor right now," he said.

Another NTK backer, Dave Schuldt of the Transit Riders Union, was dutifully collecting signatures for a petition for universal health care. "I think this is the first time I've been to see a punk band in a long time," he marveled, and then went inside to grab another White Stripe.

Obligatory food shot.
Obligatory food shot.

Approached by the SECB, the candidate was asked a very pressing question: Would she consider a one-night revival of her old band, Shitty Person, for tonight's festivities if she won? "No, I don't think so," Thomas-Kennedy demurred, "though that would be fun."

Extra credit trivia: her former band was composed of NTK and her husband, and the name came from his therapy practice: "you know, all that negative self-talk he was managing," said Thomas-Kennedy.


IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING, BRUCE HAS AN IMPECCABLE SPREAD AT HIS PARTY IN LESCHI

7:45 PM




THE CLOUDS HAVE PARTED OVER NIKKITA'S OUTDOOR FESTIVAL

7:30 PM


Mx. Pucks APlenty teases!
Mx. Pucks A'Plenty teases! SECB

The Stranger Election Control Board arrived at Nikkita Oliver's election night party at Equinox Studios in Georgetown with a butt sweat that soaked all the way through. Per usual, the SECB did not arrive in profesh attire.

A reporter from Q-something asked the SECB where we were from (she should have been able to tell from the butt sweat). When we told her who we were, she said, "Oh well, you're all for this then."

Is that a compliment? It's hard to tell with these Fox affiliates. We'll take it as a compliment.

First of all: Yes, we're for this—it's practically a mini street festival in an alley in Georgetown. There are mutual aid tables! A free food pantry! Community art! Indian Tacos from Off the Rez!! (The first 200 are free!!) Even the clouds parted and luminous rays sprayed over the dusty gravel pit/dance floor.

Whats classier than black, gold, and mesh?
What's classier than black, gold, and mesh?

Nikkita promised there would be "no dry moment" in the night's festivities. So far, that's true. Mx. Pucks A'Plenty started the party with "wit and tit."

The SECB asked Nikkita how they'd be celebrating tonight. They said there might be a drink or two involved, but that they were really here to celebrate with community. "That's what it's all about," Nikkita told us.

We felt toasty as Grace Jones and Crystal Waters boomed over the speakers.


SORRY, WE FORGOT TO ADD THIS PHOTO FROM DOW

7:20 PM


In all the afternoon hubbub, the Stranger Election Control Board forgot it asked King County Executive Dow Constantine how he's feeling today. He said, "Ready to go." When we asked him to send us a photo that described that feeling, he sent this one:

Screen_Shot_2021-08-03_at_3.03.26_PM.png
Courtesy Dow's Campaign

"I started the day sign waving with members of LIUNA 242 in West Seattle, this afternoon I'm making last-minute get-out-the-vote calls, and then I'll head over to the Best Starts for Kids election night party," Dow said.

We asked Dow who he's rooting for tonight (besides himself), and he told us he's "all in for our Best Starts for Kids renewal." During our SECB endorsement meeting, Dow told us he considers Best Starts for Kids "his baby." While we did not end up endorsing him, we did endorse his baby, baby!!!*

(*Speaking of endorsements, you've got about 30 minutes left to vote, people.)


ELECTION DAY IS BRIANNA THOMAS'S FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR

6:50 PM


Thomass dad flew up from Arizona to spend Election Day with her!
Thomas's dad flew in from Arizona to spend election day with her! Courtesy of Brianna Thomas

This afternoon, when we hopped on the phone with Brianna Thomas, who's running for City Council Position No. 9, she said she felt all the expected jitters: excitement, anxiety, slight nausea. Still, Thomas told us that Election Day is her Favorite Day of the year, even when her name isn't on the ballot.

Thomas said she's a bit worried about the voter turnout so far, which is worryingly low even by off-year election standards. "We know primaries are a hard time because northwesterners take their summer real serious," said Thomas. "We know that voters in the August primary who are reliable tend to be older and landowners, but the city is getting younger and rent-ier."

Thomas's dad came up from Arizona to spend the big night with his daughter. They grabbed breakfast this morning at Lowell's in Pike Place. Right now, Thomas is hosting an election party down at the State Hotel with her campaign staff, supporters, and some out-of-town friends. If she makes it to the general, she said she'll celebrate with "probably a lot of whooping and hollering."


420 LAST-MINUTE VOTERS ARE CURRENTLY READING OUR ENDORSEMENTS

6:40 PM


When contacted by phone this afternoon, mayoral candidate Andrew Grant Houston told the SECB that he’s feeling “nervous,” then let out a big laugh. He sent along this GIF of popular left-handed anime character Mio Akiyama from K-ON! to describe his feelings.
Image_from_iOS.gif

Houston spent the day phone banking until around two o’clock, he said, then headed over to Ballard for his campaign's election night party. He chose the neighborhood's Cathedral space specifically because his campaign wanted an all-ages venue, since young people “have been such a critical part of the campaign." We'll see if the youth voted later tonight!!


If he makes it through the primary, Houston said his preferred candidate to square off against would be Bruce Harrell—but he doesn’t expect to have a good idea of the final results tonight. “Given how many people are still voting, I’m expecting it’s going to be a couple of days,” he said. Given how many people are still reading the Stranger Election Control Board’s endorsements (around 420, nice), we’d concur.


"IT'S MY LATE ABUELO'S FAMILY RECIPE"

6:35 PM


King County Council District 9 candidate Chris Franco making some tinga de pollo tacos.
King County Council District 9 candidate Chris Franco serving up some tinga de pollo tacos. Courtesy Chris Franco Campaign

Chris Franco hosted his election night party at his own damn home and whipped up a batch of his own damn late abuelo's tinga de pollo tacos to celebrate. (Franco cussed a lot during our endorsement, so we're very happily returning the favor.) He said he's feeling "cautiously optimistic" about his chances to beat the two other strong candidates in the race and square up against longtime Republican incumbent King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn. "I'm ready to take the fight to Dunn and call out his bullshit," Franco said over a text. We are too, Franco. We are too. Now send us a batch of that tinga de pollo, please!!!!


WE PAUSE THIS LIVE BLOG FOR A QUICK FOODIE TIP FROM JOE NGUYEN

6:30 PM


Earlier this afternoon, when reached by phone, Stranger-endorsed King County Executive candidate Joe Nguyen told the SECB he stress-ate “Top Ramen with deli ham and a poached egg” to calm down his nerves this morning.

Inquiring minds wanted to know: Do you poach the egg before or after putting it into the ramen? “It poaches itself,” Nguyen told us. “You put the raw egg in it, and it poaches itself because of the heat. Drop it right under the noodles. The outside cooks and the inside stays yoke. Add Sriracha.”

And what’s Nguyen eating at his party at The Blu Grouse in White Center tonight? “Probably french fries,” he said.

If you pop by the party, you might note Nguyen’s fresh haircut, which he said he got from Rudy’s this afternoon. Shoutout to Meg for the cut.


NIKKITA OLIVER IS READY TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING

6:20 PM

Nina Simone is always a mood!
When we asked Oliver to send a photo that described how they are feeling, they sent this image. Nina Simone is always a mood! StarEyez's Redbubble
Out of all the election night parties happening this evening, the Stranger Election Control Board bets that Nikkita Oliver's party at Equinox Studios will be the most fun. Not only will performers like Mx. Pux A'Plenty, JusMoni, and Rell Be Free join Oliver onstage, but Off the Rez is catering—and the first 200 meals are free!

When reached by email, the City Council Position No. 9 candidate wrote that they are "excited to come together with community to celebrate all that we have accomplished in the last four years." Oliver says the campaign "never stopped organizing after the 2017 mayoral election," and that "this moment is bigger than the current campaign."

As a full-time working candidate, Oliver said they spent today going to meetings and working for Creative Justice before sliding through to Equinox to set up for the night. If they manage to get through tonight's primary and move on to the general, Stranger-endorsed Oliver said they are celebrating victory with a good night's sleep.

"I've gotta work tomorrow and want to be well-rested to hit the ground running in the general," they wrote. We love the practicality!


NICOLE THOMAS-KENNEDY IS TRYING NOT TO FEEL TOO MUCH

6:15 PM


Thats NTK in the back left with the black-and-white checkered shirt. Shes eating pizza with volunteers who helped knock doors over the weekend.
That's NTK in the back left with the black-and-white shirt. She's eating pizza with volunteers who helped knock doors over the weekend. Courtesy of the Nicole Thomas-Kennedy Campaign

The Stranger-endorsed abolitionist and Seattle City Attorney candidate told us this morning that she feels "relaxed" and "hopeful." She spent election day "at home by myself with no children," sending out a few text messages and doing some tweets. "I just want people to come to my party and have a good time, because it's been a lot of work in a short amount of time," she said. (NTK's party started tonight at 5 pm at Taste of Caribbean & Peleton Cafe on 12th and Jefferson.)

She has no idea what she'll do if she's leading the race after ballots drop this evening, but she knows how she'll square off with each of her rivals depending on who makes it through. If three-term incumbent City Attorney Pete Holmes comes out on top, NTK will focus on the length of his tenure and argue for change. "What we're doing now is not creating safety, so instead of doing the same thing over and over again maybe we should do something different that has been shown to work in lots of different places," she said.

If the ~ wild thing ~ happens and Republican nutjob Ann Davison ends up in the top-two, then she'll go after the candidate's tough-on-crime approach, highlighting the fact that the U.S. holds 25% of the world's prisoners and yet is not the safest country. "If what people want is to feel safe, then we need to start addressing the root problems," she said.


ANN DAVISON IS TWEETING THROUGH IT

6:10 PM


A spokesperson for the (we're sorry, but) deeply strange rightwing attorney Ann Davison said the candidate "is hard at work on the campaign trail trying to connect with people in our great city." She plans to spend election night at home with her family. When asked which office she plans to run for next if she doesn't make it through, the spokesperson said she's "currently fully focused on engaging with our neighbors across Seattle in this crucial election."

She didn't send along a photo, but she did fire up Twitter this morning and write a vague thread about some problems in society. The thread features Davison apparently taking a selfie with a guy who lives in a tent and also Oltion Hyseni, who owns a pot shop in the North End.


TERESA MOSQUEDA WILL PROBABLY NOT BE BIKING TO ELECTION PARTIES TONIGHT

6 PM


“I’m really proud of the campaign that we ran,” Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda said this morning, “and I’m proud of the last four years in office.”

Mosqueda is running with no serious opposition to retain her seat on City Council — but she’s also making good use of the seat on her bicycle. The campaign held its first in-person rally last weekend, a bike rally and ride with supporters. Mosqueda credited measures like tapping progressive revenue sources (a polite way of saying “eat the rich”) and protections for hotel and domestic workers as having garnered particular support.

As for her plans tonight, she was hoping to visit some election parties — but her daughter has come down with a fever, so she’ll be staying home instead to cuddle the kid. Never a dull moment.


BRUCE HARRELL WOULD NOT SPEAK TO US SO WE INTERVIEWED THIS HAIRBRUSH INSTEAD

5:40 PM


This brush may be pulling my hair out by the roots but at least its got a better plan for police reform than certain candidates I could name.
"This brush may be pulling my hair out by the roots but at least it's got a better plan for police reform than certain candidates I could name." Prostock-Studio / Getty Images

When Seattle mayoral candidate Bruce Harrell’s campaign informed us that the candidate was not available for a five-minute interview today, we had to reach out to the next best thing: an inanimate hairbrush named Brush Harrell.

“Mon dieu, I feel, how do you say, magnifique,” said Brush Harrell after being stroked lovingly through a head of hair. “Je suis trĂšs excitĂ© pour l'Ă©lection primaire.”

In contrast to certain candidates running for office, the hairbrush expressed strong opposition to sweeping homeless encampments, support for ending the ban on new apartment buildings city-wide, and noted that it had never been purchased by a landlord.


WILL JOE NGUYEN PARTY LIKE IT'S 2018?

5:30 PM


When the SECB asked Joe how hes feeling, he sent along this GIF. Same.
When the SECB asked Joe how he's feeling, he sent along this GIF. Same. GIPHY/SCHITT'S CREEK

This afternoon, when contacted by phone, Stranger-endorsed King County Executive candidate Joe Nguyen told the SECB he felt “optimistic” about tonight’s results. “This feels very similar to my senate campaign,” Nguyen told us, referring to the time he unexpectedly landed in first place during his primary race for the state senate in 2018.

“I thought we were going to get second place but what? We are not fucking around. We are not here to play, we are not joking around, we are here to fucking win,” Joe Fuckin’ Nguyen told us during that election.

This year, Nguyen is pushing up against a projected low voter turnout, which will likely hurt him as he faces off against Probably Unstoppable King County Executive Dow Constantine. Nguyen said his campaign has been phone banking every single day. “My mom herself is phone banking,” Nguyen added.

Tonight, his campaign is looking for “30 to 40” percent of the vote total. “If you look at the math, random people [like GoodSpaceGuy] will make up 20-ish percent of the vote. 80 percent will go to people leaning left. If we can split that, that’ll be huge for us.

"Obviously, if we’re leading, then let’s pop champagne." Yes, let's!


JESSYN FARRELL IS MANAGING HER ANXIETY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH

5:15 PM


In sending this pic Jessyn Farrell has discovered the one way to sway my vote.
In sending this pic, Jessyn Farrell has discovered the one way to sway The Stranger's resident furry a-fur-cionado/Stranger Election Control Board member Matt Baume's vote. Jessyn Farrell

“It’s just sparkling water tonight,” mayoral candidate Jessyn Farrell said this morning — no booze to take the edge off of election-night jitters. Instead, she phone banked today as a means to manage her nerves.

“We’re working really hard to get out the vote,” she said. Looking back over the campaign, she said the most interesting lesson was that she heard a lot more consensus from voters regarding housing than political discourse might lead one to expect: “I think the vast majority of people in our city want us to go big on things like permanent supportive housing. 
 I’m really heartened by that.”

If you’d like to express that consensus to her, hang out by your phone — she’ll be phone banking right up until tonight's 8:15 PM-or-so ballot drop, she said.


PETE HOLMES IS FEELING "CURIOUS!"

5 PM


Pete thanked us for giving him an excuse to slip outside and catch part of a beautiful Seattle summer day!
Pete thanked us for giving him an excuse to "slip outside and catch part of a beautiful Seattle summer day!" Pete Holmes

"Curious!"

That's the one-word response we received from the three-term incumbent Seattle City Attorney when we asked him how he was feeling today. A curt but fair reply from a man who will find out later this evening whether he'll get to defend his seat against one of two challengers who decided to jump into the race at the last minute; abolitionist Nicole Thomas-Kennedy or rightwing nutjob Ann Davison. When asked which candidates he thought may make it through and what he'd been hearing on the doors, he sent a tweet from Crosscut's David Kroman, which basically reflects everyone's thinking on the matter.


LORENA GONZÁLEZ IS LOOKING FORWARD TO AN IPA

4:50 PM


Ring ring
Ring ring Lorena GonzĂĄlez

“This is my third campaign and it felt like my first,” said Seattle City Council President Lorena González this morning, “because we were running the campaign during COVID.”

The entire experience was an exercise in adaptation, the mayoral candidate said, and having to improvise under rapidly-shifting conditions. If she was to offer advice to herself a year ago, “I’d probably remind myself to be patient, flexible, and stay the course.”

Going into this evening, she said, she’s feeling “very positive and confident,” and thinks that the results will — hopefully — confirm that the people of Seattle “really do want someone with direct local government experience to guide this city through the next several years.”

When the ballot results drop around 8:15 PM tonight, she said, she’s looking forward to enjoying an IPA. “That’s how Seattle I am.”


SARA NELSON LISTENS TO BEASTIE BOYS TO GET HERSELF JUICED UP

4:40 PM


This is how Nelson is feeling today: In the spirit of, Are we having fun yet? Thats what Im doing everyday. Calling voters.
This is how Nelson is feeling today: "In the spirit of, Are we having fun yet? That's what I'm doing every day. Calling voters." Courtesy of Sara Nelson
This morning, City Council Position No. 9 candidate Sara Nelson was stationed at her campaign headquarters (also known as her house), making last-minute "persuasion calls" to voters on the off chance they haven't yet filled out their ballot. By the time we got Nelson, the co-owner of Fremont Brewing, on the phone around midday today, she said she'd managed to reach only five people who hadn't yet voted. She still sounded pretty positive about her chances.

While in the thick of voter outreach, Nelson said it's hard to think about the first ballot drop tonight around 8 PM, but she said she doesn't have any regrets. "I feel really, really strong about how we’ve run our campaign," Nelson said. "It’s been tight and strong, and we've gotten a broad base of support."

Tonight, Nelson will have a few good luck charms close to her: a ring her late mother gave her and her favorite pair of shoes. On the way to Stoup Brewing for her election night party, Nelson said she plans to blast the Beastie Boys' "So What'Cha Want" to get amped up. We giggled at the thought!


Did you vote? You only have until 8 PM, kids!!
Did you vote? You only have until 8 PM, kids!! PHOTO BY KAREN DUCEY/GETTY IMAGES

No one is happier than the Stranger Election Control Board to announce that the beginning of the end of the corniest mayoral race in recent memory kicks off tonight at 8:15 pm, when King County Elections drops the first batch of the results. We've had about enough of mayoral candidates ripping off Elizabeth Warren's PMC-simping campaign strategies, enough of people breakdancing with children, enough of people modifying the word "progressive" into nothingness, and enough of people failing to be good at TikTok!!!! (Nikkita Oliver's campaign is the exception that proves the rule in that latter case.)

But enough about what we've had enough of and more about tonight!!!

Tonight will NOT decide whether King County gets a new executive and flips its council 100% blue. Tonight will also NOT decide the next mayor, the next citywide Seattle City Council members, nor the next City Attorney.

Tonight WILL, however, decide whether the county wants to continue making smart investments in the future of the next generation. And tonight will also tell us which two candidates in each Seattle city race have a good chance of making it through to the general election in November. Will Bruce Harrell come out on top in the mayor's race like everyone thinks he will? Will Lorena GonzĂĄlez come in at number two, or will Colleen Echohawk blow her away somewhat unexpectedly?? Will we have an interesting and informed discussion about what to do with the cops in City Hall, or will Sara Nelson make it through to the general in the open citywide city council race??? Will three-term incumbent Pete Holmes make it out of this primary alive, forcing Seattle to choose between an abolitionist and a batshit Republican? Even he says he doesn't know!!! And will Vivian Song Maritz move to another apartment again?! (She moved to an apodment in Ballard a few weeks ago, marking her third move this year.)

According to King County Elections, tonight's results will include all ballots collected through yesterday, "which would include everything back in the mail through [Monday] morning and all drop box returns through midday [Monday]." Expect between 50-60% of the total returns tonight, and stay tuned over the course of the week to learn how the races change as the elections department counts up the last-minute votes, which tend to lean more progressive.

As usual, your mildly stoned election sentinels over here at the Stranger Election Control Board will don our personal protective equipment, fill our emergency flasks, take a couple hits off our palm-leaf wrapped Sour Diesel blunts, and bring you second-by-second coverage of the snacks and the spilled tea at several of the election night parties across town. So keep your eyes on Slog.