Election predictions: King County

King County Executive: I had been hoping to see another SurveyUSA poll to judge which of their prior two were closer to correct, but since it appears I won't have that luxury, i'm going to just take a shot in the dark. In short, I think Ron Sims will pull it out. Irons has offered a strong alternative to voters and many will cross over and vote for him, despite the never-explained attacks from Seattle newspapers yearning for a strong Republican opponent. However, I, as always, have my doubts about the ability for enough Democratic voters in a county that tilts so hard toward that party to be independent enough to bolt. Irons definitely could pull this out, but i've yet to have any reason to believe this will be the time a majority (or even plurality) of King County voters will do the right thing.

Ron Sims [D] 47%
David Irons [R] 45% - supported
Gentry Lange [G] 8%

King County Sheriff: As in the primary, Sue Rahr will win easily, with broad bipartisan support. Greg Schmidt edged Jim Fuda for the second spot in the general, but their combined percentage didn't come close to Rahr and I expect more of the same.

Sue Rahr 66% - supported
Greg Schmidt 34%

King County Council Dist. 1: Despite redistricting making this district more suburban than before, I still expect Democrat Bob Ferguson to make easy work of GOP candidate Steven Pyeatt. Ferguson's independent streak will help immensely on the new Council, with two of five Democrats being bipartisan and willing to break with the Larry Phillips machine when necessary.

Bob Ferguson [D] 65% - supported
Steven Pyeatt [R] 35%

King County Council Dist. 2: Urban Democrat Larry Gossett has little to worry about in his district, which has become even safer since redistricting. Sucks for representative government, but that's gerrymandering for you.

Larry Gossett [D] 74%
Brian Thomas [R] 22%
Morgan Catha [L] 4% - supported

King County Council Dist. 4: As in the aforementioned race, a Democrat in an urban Seattle district has next to no chance of losing, but that doesn't stop big-hearted opponents from opposing them. In this race, the opponent is liberal Independent Ed Pottharst, opposing incumbent Democrat and poster child for the botched governor's election, Larry Phillips. I'd like to think Pottharst has a chance, as a liberal and past third-party supporter (Greens), but Phillips will assuredly coast to another term.

Larry Phillips [D] 83%
Ed Pottharst [I] 17% - supported

King County Council Dist. 5: Incumbent Democrat Julia Patterson is an ideal fit for this south-county district. One of the few districts open to both parties, Patterson's ability to put the interests of her constituents over the preferences of her party's bosses is admirable and warrants another term. Patterson has made a career of this in the legislature and now on the council, and is the easy choice over Republican opponent Orin Wells.

Julia Patterson [D] 59% - supported
Orin Wells [R] 41%

King County Council Dist. 7: Council GOP leader Pete von Reichbauer should have no problem winning another term over liberal Democratic opponent Geni Hawkins. Von Reichbauer's nearly 30-year career as first a moderate Democrat and now a moderate Republican gives little reason for this suburban district's voters to vote him out.

Pete von Reichbauer [R] 60% - supported
Geni Hawkins [D] 40%

King County Council Dist. 8: Same old story, county residents suffer the same fate with serious opposition-free city districts. Dow Constantine rolls, no question.

Dow Constantine [D] 90%
John Potter [I] 10%

King County Council Dist. 9: As with Bob Ferguson in the first district, the primary was the real battle for the ninth district. Democrat Shirley Gaunt-Smith has little chance, given that Barbara Heavey couldn't even top the right-wing Steve Hammond in what was then a much more rural district. Now it's more suburban and has the more mainstream Reagan Dunn occupying the seat.

Reagan Dunn [R] 62% - supported
Shirley Gaunt-Smith [D] 38%