Politics & Government
Aaron Reardon Wins Third Term as Snohomish County Executive
Forty-year-old, the subject of a last-minute criminal investigation, beats challenger Mike Hope of Lake Stevens, who has conceded.
Despite a last minute criminal investigation by the Washington State Patrol related to the use of state funds for travel expenses, Aaron Reardon is leading opponent Mike Hope in his bid for a third four-year term as Snohomish County Executive.
On Tuesday, results show that Democrat Reardon, 40, has received 57 percent of the vote, while Republican Hope, 35, has received 43 percent (57,742-44,110). Hope has conceded the race.
More results will be released Wednesday.
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The campaign slogan for Reardon, a Snohomish County native, was “Fighting for the Forgotten Middle Class.” On his campaign website, Reardon says that during his tenure “Snohomish County is the only municipal government in Washington State to maintain balanced budget and a healthy surplus without increasing general fund taxes.”
Reardon earned his first term in 2003 by beating Dave Earling, who today was elected mayor of Edmonds. Reardon’s deputy executive is former Edmonds Mayor Gary Haakenson.
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related to the State Patrol investigation, which is ongoing.
Hope is an ex-Marine and ex-cop who lives in Lake Stevens and represents the 44th District. It was on Oct. 19 that on a whistle-stop tour to bring attention to himself and what he calls his “assault on unemployment.” To dramatize his fling through town, Hope arrived in a Pinzgauer, a six-wheeled military utility vehicle.