Mulenga, Baggett and Jeyaraj officially win council positions; Holman edges Grames for school board seat

By Reporter Staff • November 26, 2019 5:30 pm
Four winners from the Nov. 5 general election, from left, Robyn Mulenga, Bob Baggett, James Jeyaraj and Arlista Holman. FILE PHOTOS

Robyn Mulenga held on to defeat her challenger, Ryan Burnett, for Position 5 on the Auburn City Council.

Mulenga, an Auburn School Board director, received 6,747 votes, 51.21 percent, to Burnett’s (6,352 votes, 48.21 percent), according to the final combined numbers from King and Pierce counties that were officially certified Tuesday. The general election was Nov. 5.

Incumbent Bob Baggett also held on to his council spot, Position 7, edging his challenger, Vera Orlandic-Hodak. Baggett finished with 6,730 votes (51 percent) to Orlandic-Hodak’s 6,387 votes (48.4 percent).

In the contest for council Position 3, James Jeyaraj won handily, attracting 7,261 votes (55.28 percent). Ken Pearson took in 5,806 votes (44.2 percent).

In the close race for the lone open seat on the Auburn School Board, Arlista Holman prevailed with 7,604 votes, or 49.96 percent, to Chris Grames’ 7,517, or 49.39 percent.

Secretary of State Kim Wyman has until Dec. 5 to certify the final results.