One of the most watched races this election cycle is Tanya Woo’s challenge to Tammy Morales, who is the incumbent Seattle City Councilmember for District 2.
Woo, a small business owner in the Chinatown-International District and a community advocate, snagged 42% of the votes to Morales’ 52%.
Woo called the results humbling and inspiring.
“I am deeply grateful for the trust that the residents of District 2 have placed in me. There is still a lot of work to do and we are going to have to fight for every vote…I ran for this office because I believe in the power of collaboration and inclusivity.” She continued, “I promise to be a council member who works tirelessly, side by side with community members, to bring about the change we need.”
Tanya Woo (midde) with some of the Chinatown ‘aunties’ she grew up with. (Photo by Assunta Ng)
More than 50 people showed up to Tanya Woo’s election party at Donnie Chin International Children’s Park. (Photo by Assunta Ng)
Initial returns for SeaTac City Council are also favoring incumbent Peter Kwon, who got 64% of the votes.
He told the Northwest Asian Weekly, “I am grateful and humbled by the promising primary results and thank our community for supporting me. It is refreshing and energizing to see eight years of hard work and dedication recognized and appreciated through our democratic process.”
Burien Mayor Sofia Aragon advanced from the primary election race for King County Council District 8, garnering 37% of the vote.
“My priorities to increase public safety, address homelessness and affordable housing, and a healthier environment really resonated with voters. I look forward to campaigning for the general election.”
The ballots are still being counted in the Aug. 1 primary election, but here are the initial results. These AAPI candidates on the King county ballot are likely to advance to the November General Election.
County
Metropolitan King County, Council District No. 8
Sofia Aragon 37%
Port of Seattle
Port of Seattle Commissioner, Position 5
Jesse Tam 25%
City
City of Newcastle, Council Position No. 1
Sun Burford 42%
City of Redmond, Council Position No. 1
Osman Salahuddin 68%
City of Renton, Council Position No. 7
Kim-Khanh Van 41%
City of SeaTac, Council Position No. 3
Peter Kwon 64%
City of Seattle, Council District No. 2
Tanya Woo 42%
City of Snoqualmie, Council Position No. 5
Mandeep Kaur Walia 30%
School
Northshore School District No. 417, Director District No. 3
Han Tran 52%
King county will release additional results in the next few days as more ballots are counted. The county canvassing board will certify election results on Aug. 15.
Good for Tanya. Not only did she bother to walk my North Beacon Hill neighborhood and knock on doors to introduce herself as a candidate but the day before her surprise visit her husband had knocked on my door to talk about Tanya running for City Council. She’s what we need – an inclusive, local, interested, eye-contact-making candidate to represent our district.