Dave Earling, Mike Cooper Will Face Off in November; Buckshnis, Wilcox Advance in Council Race

Editor's note: This story contains updated figures as of 5 p.m. Wednesday.

One candidate is former Edmonds City Council member who served 12 years. The other is current mayor after being appointed to the position in July 2010.

Dave Earling, the former councilman, and Mike Cooper, the incumbent mayor, will face off on Nov. 8 in November's general election after winning the primary vote on Tuesday. With the majority of the vote tallied, Earling received 3,991 votes, or 53 percent of the total. Cooper has received 2,926 votes, or 39 percent.

The third candidate for mayor, Roger Hertrich, is out of the race since only the top two candidates advance.

“This is a great night and these results are further proof of the strong interest in new leadership in Edmonds I’ve heard across our community," said Earling in a statement. "I’m thrilled to have well over 50 percent of the vote.

“I’ve heard directly from hundreds of citizens and community leaders during the course of this campaign: They want new leadership in city government. They also want the city budget has to get fixed and recognize solutions over the long term to increase revenue to the city are essential. We have to put the city on a sustainable path to stop pitting essential services against overburdened taxpayers.

“Tonight’s results are an outstanding start to addressing those issues and I believe very strongly that we’ll deliver on that new leadership in November. For now, I want to thank everyone who has played a role in getting us to this point in less than three months of campaigning.”

Said Cooper, a former firefighter and Snohomish County councilman: "It is a long way to November. I had hoped the numbers would be a little closer, but I am generally pleased considering the gap in primary spending. The primary is over and the score is tied. My opponent spent nearly $30,000 attacking the hard-working folks who work for Edmonds while I was busy bringing new business to the community and managing the city. I spent a career walking in to fire in the face of adversity and this is no different. We will continue to do what is right and be honest with the voters." 

In the race for Edmonds City Council position 4, the only one on Tuesday's primary ballot, challenger Bob Wilcox has received 3,328 votes, or 46 percent of the total. He will face incumbent Diane Buckshnis, who garnered 3,241 votes, or 45 percent. Another challenger, Tad Helke, received 8 percent of the votes cast.

City Council positions 5, 6 and 7 only had two candidates each, who are automatically entered into the general election.

There were two Edmonds School District positions on the ballot Tuesday. Incumbent Gary Noble, with 73 percent of the vote, will vie against Boe Lindgren, who received 15 percent, for District 3 director.

For District 5 director, Mark Dillan gathered 31 percent of the vote, and will run against Diana White, who received 27 percent. Incumbent Pat Shields did not run for re-election.

In the race for commissioner, position 3, for the Olympic View Water District, Barb Kathol will be facing Mike Harrigan in the general election. Kathol received 35 percent of the vote, while Harrigan had 34 percent. Olympic View operates in portions of Edmonds, Woodway and unincorporated Snohomish County.

A full list of updated election results can be found on the Snohomish County Auditor's website.