By Dennis Box
dbox@covingtonreporter.com
The Aug. 5 primary narrowed the field of prospective political candidates in the 31st District and set up the high-noon showdown in the race for the district’s seat in the Senate.
The intra-party primary clash between Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, and Rep. Cathy Dahlquist, R-Enumclaw, drew plenty of smoke and fire, and both will be on the November ballot.
As of Tuesday, Roach maintained a narrow 281-vote lead over Dahlquist, according to the Secretary of State’s website. Roach had a 156-vote margin on election night.
In the weeks leading up the primary, Roach faced a series of newspaper reports from The Courier-Herald, Tacoma News Tribune and Seattle Times concerning some of her Senate expense reports payments over the past six years.
Roach, who is seeking a seventh term in the Senate, had to pay back about $5,000 to the Senate for mileage that was not allowed, two cell phones and her post office mailbox that received legislative and campaign mail, which is not allowed by state law.
The senator repeatedly said the accuracy of her expense reports were not her responsibility, but the responsibility of the Senate administration.
During the weeks leading up to the primary and after the expense reports stories broke in the media, Roach sent an email to The Enumclaw Courier-Herald stating she delivered a letter to the Public Disclosure Commission alleging Dahlquist violated campaign finance rules. The accuracy or validity of this allegation has not been confirmed.
Roach receive 9,101 votes, 40.46 percent, and Dahlquist had 8,820 votes, good for 39.21 percent. Lynda Messner, from Bonney Lake, who ran as a Democrat, received 4,573, 20.33 percent. Messner has been eliminated and Roach and Dahlquist now advance to the general election.
In King County, as of Tuesday, Dahlquist received 3,270 votes and 42 percent to Roach’s 3,071 votes and 39 percent.
Roach’s strength was in Pierce County where she polled 6,030 votes and 41 percent to Dahlquist’s 5,550 votes and 38 percent.
Where Messner’s votes end up may determine the next senator in the 31st District. Dahlquist and Rep. Chris Hurst, D-Greenwater, have maintained Messner was a “fake” Democrat who ran only to siphon votes away from Dahlquist, thus helping Roach.
State House Position No. 1
In the District 31 State House Position No. 1, Republican Drew Stokesbary and Democrat Mike Sando will line up against each other in the general election.
Stokesbary took 11,450 votes and 52 percent to 31 percent for Sando with 6,956 votes.
Democrat Jonathon Dunn is out after pulling 3,670 votes and 17 percent.
State House Position No. 2
Hurst took 55 percent with 12,064 votes over Republican Phil Fortunato with 10,011 votes and 45 percent.
Both will be on the November ballot.
8th Congressional District
Incumbent Repubican Dave Reichert received 66,408 votes and 63 percent. Jason Ritchie, Democrat, took 30,618, 29 percent.
Keith Arnold is out after receiving 9,225 votes and 9 percent.
