Snohomish County Executive John Lovick was leading challenger County Council Chairman Dave Somers for the top job in Tuesday night returns. They were running ahead of Republican Robert Sutherland.
Lovick was leading with 33 percent, while Somers had 31 percent. Sutherland captured 26 percent of the vote, while Independent James Robert Deal had 5 percent and Republican Norm Nunnally had 3 percent.
The race pitted two well-known and politically experienced Democrats against each other and divided party leaders and elected officials. In what may be a sign of Lovick’s vulnerability, Somers outraised the incumbent $89,000 to $43,000.