Jarrett disappointed with results, satisfied with campaign

State Sen. Fred Jarrett, D-Mercer Island, came in third in the Aug. 18 primary election for King County Executive, garnering 12.2 percent of the vote, according to an Aug. 24 official count. Former KIRO news anchor Susan Hutchison came in first with 33.2 percent of the vote, while King County Councilmember Down Constantine followed with 26.7 percent. Larry Phillips and State Sen. Ross Hunter trailed behind with 12.1 and 10.9 percent, respectively. The three remaining candidates, who ran with little financial backing, garnered less than 3 percent of the vote each.

By Elizabeth Celms • August 25, 2009 2:48 pm

Results updated for King County Executive race

State Sen. Fred Jarrett, D-Mercer Island, came in third in the Aug. 18 primary election for King County Executive, garnering 12.2 percent of the vote, according to an Aug. 24 official count. Former KIRO news anchor Susan Hutchison came in first with 33.2 percent of the vote, while King County Councilmember Down Constantine followed with 26.7 percent. Larry Phillips and State Sen. Ross Hunter trailed behind with 12.1 and 10.9 percent, respectively. The three remaining candidates, who ran with little financial backing, garnered less than 3 percent of the vote each.

The results, although not final, are indicative that Hutchison and Constantine are the two contenders for this November’s election. The ballots were last updated on Monday, Aug. 24 and represent more than 330,000 King County voters.

Asked about his third-place finish, Jarrett said he was disappointed but satisfied with the efforts put into his campaign.

“We had hoped that we’d do better. But I’m extremely proud that we were out front on the issues. I’m happy that, as a consequence, the county has changed some of its policy — whether in ferry services or health care [issues], I think we’ve already had an impact,” Jarrett said.

A Mercer Island native, Jarrett went into the campaign as a popular Eastside candidate for King County Executive. He earned more than $97,000 in campaign funds. Constantine and Hutchison, however, raised nearly twice as much, earning more than $307,000 and $254,000, respectively. Hunter, D-Bellevue, who was often compared to Jarrett in the race, brought in more than $227,000. The position of King County Executive pays $180,000.

Jarrett is a former Island mayor and former member of the City Council and School Board. The state senator has spent nearly his entire life on Mercer Island, graduating from Mercer Island High School in 1967. He is also a 35-year employee of Boeing.

For the full statistics on Tuesday’s primary and other details, visit: www.kingcounty.gov/elections.aspx.