....is incumbent maverick Bob Ferguson, who in what must certainly still be termed preliminary King County results, currently has 1,070 more votes than his party hack opponent in the Sept. 20 Democratic primary, which decides this contest. Ferguson's is a widened lead from yesterday. 
But it's early yet. This IS King County. And only 100 percent of precincts have been counted. (Source: King County election results page, last updated - as of this writing - at 4:10 p.m. today).
But if Ferguson's lead holds, that's another huge blow he's delivered to the city's Democratic machinery (the first was his successful challenge to council chair Cynthia Sullivan). Here's a Seattle Democrat who takes issues one at a time, and whom Ron Sims' and Larry Phillips' political foot soldiers moved earth to defeat. The Seattle-ite will be representing a primarily suburban council district, as well. More in "A Ferguson Win Could Weaken Democrats on King County Council," by Neil Modie, in today's Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Posted by Matt Rosenberg at September 26, 2005 05:05 PM | Email ThisFerguson's 'loss' might be a bigger blow to the city's Democratic machine than his win, since it could expose the corruption.
Of course, that assumes that the corruption exists. Oh, yeah.
Posted by: David D on September 26, 2005 05:36 PMHe's the kind of liberal I actually like.
It will take nothing short of a crisis to change their voting habits, so that they learn to vote for the person rather than the party (what a unique concept ) - a sad commentary about those and a majority of Seattle residents who think they are so sophisticated that can only vote for a Democrat. If they could only see the reality and realize how clueless they really are !
Posted by: KS on September 26, 2005 09:33 PMOf course the PI loves the guy because he is a liberal like they are. However he and Patterson, if they so desired, had the ability to side with the Republicans to change things and they have not.
There is only one real way to get change at King County. Change the balance of power on the King County Council. Because redistricting pulled Kenmore, Bothell, and half of Woodinville into this district there are more than enough votes in a low turnout election like this one to get our Republican elected. Do that and you don’t have to pander to the other party in hopes they will have mercy on us, you have control and they are the ones that have to come hat in hand when they want something.
Want true election reform? Elect Steven Pyeatt
Want the CAO repealed? Elect Steven Pyeatt
Want to stop the fiscal mismanagement of King County? Elect Steven Pyeatt
Want the majority of King County represented by the majority of the council?
Elect Steven Pyeatt!!!!!!
He has the support of the party and all the Republicans on the King County Council. He will be the true catalyst for change and we will not have to beg the Seattle Democrats for table scraps like we do now.
Also, he did it about 1,000 times. Posted by: Skor Grimm on September 27, 2005 07:15 AM
Yes, there isn't a huge difference in voting records, but that's life.
I hope he retains an independent posture and represents his district and its citizens as opposed to those in the KC Admin building. He is a bright guy who works harder at doorbelling than any candidate I've seen in the last dozen+ years.
Posted by: bulldozer on September 27, 2005 06:41 PMWhen Ferguson started his last campaign, he had few official endorsements, but two of the most prominent were SMA boardmembers Cleve Stockmeyer and Cindi Laws. Literally, within hours of the $11 billion monorail figure coming out, all the pro-monorail crud disappeared from his website - the Cindi Laws endorsement completely gone, and Cleve Stockmeyer's title suddenly changed from "monorail boardmember" to "Democratic PCO"
Fact is, Ferguson will tell anybody what they want to hear, and position himself to follow the blowing winds. The suckaz at SP seem to be just as clueless as the rest. If Sims was riding a wave of popularity, and the SP conspiracy theory crazies were holding their fire, you think Ferguson would be playing "man of the people" for you kids?
He was simply mining for votes, guys. His issue du jour will change in a year or two, guaranteed. Funny you peeps fell for it.
From Ferguson's first campaign kickoff speech:
"Monorail... I voted for it. I voted for it because I believe this community has to create alternative means of transportation. "
Posted by: BenjaminS on September 29, 2005 01:53 AMI gotta feeeeeling it will all come clear soon....
Posted by: alphabet soup on September 29, 2005 11:39 AM