21st District: Political Neophyte Puts Up Fight Against Marko Liias

Incumbent Democrats Marko Liias and Mary Helen Roberts are headed to victory and a return to the state House of Representatives tonight based on early results for the 21st Legislative District.

But it wasn't a runaway victory for Liias, who was up against political neophyte Kevin Morrison of Edmonds.

Early results show Liias with 17,684 votes, or 60 percent.

But Morris, a retired union member and Republican, picked up 11,704 votes, or a respectable 40 percent, as a political newcomer. He lives in Edmonds. He qualified as a write-in candidate by winning 2 percent of the vote in the August primary.

Liias, a Mukilteo native who graduated from Kamiak High School, now lives in Edmonds and holds Position 2.

Liias was first appointed to the House in 2007, after the resignation of Brian Sullivan. He subsequently won in 2008 and 2010.

Liias had originally intended to run as a candidate for the Congressional District 1 seat vacated by Jay Inslee, who left to run for governor. But Liias decided not to run after redistricting.

Liias, who is openly gay, is a strong advocate of gay rights.

Roberts, 63, ran unopposed for Position 1 in the district, which includes portions of Edmonds, as well as Mukilteo and portions of Lynnwood and Everett. She lives in Lynnwood.