Ex-PTSA chief leads, Flynn in tight race in District 2

Seattle School Board candidate Sherry Carr appeared to be headed to the general election late Tuesday, maintaining a significant lead over incumbent Darlene Flynn.

Only the top two vote-getters will advance to November's citywide election.

"There's no reason to be concerned," said Flynn, whose lead in the latest returns Tuesday widened over nonprofit manager Lisa Stuebing for the board's District 2 seat. "It's obvious from the returns that everyone's run a good race."

In West Seattle, retired investment executive Steve Sundquist held a comfortable lead as the results rolled in Tuesday night. Community activist Maria Ramirez was ahead of retired math teacher Danaher Dempsey for the second spot on the ballot.

"I'm very encouraged by the early results and certainly at this point assuming I'll be advancing to the November election," Sundquist said.

Two other School Board seats also will be on the ballot in November. In District 1, the city's northernmost district, incumbent Sally Soriano faces attorney Peter Maier. In District 3, which includes the University District and Ravenna, community activist David Blomstrom faces Harium Martin-Morris.

The November election has the potential to dramatically change the makeup of the majority of the seven-member School Board. Members are unpaid and serve four-year terms.

In 2003, voters elected four new members to the board. Flynn is one of two who opted to run again for re-election.

In all four races, voters will choose between a business-minded candidate pushing for more accountability and order and one with a history of community activism.

A Boeing budget manager, Carr is a former president of the citywide Seattle Council PTSA and a member of the Community Advisory Committee on Investing for Educational Excellence, which former Superintendent Raj Manhas convened two years ago to examine the district.

That group recommended school closures and other measures to streamline the district's operations.

Carr is concerned about the public's lack of confidence in Seattle schools and believes her leadership will help unify the city behind the district.

Flynn ran on her experience, saying no candidate has her knowledge of what it takes to be a board member. She's been criticized in her first term for being difficult to reach and too harsh on district staff and the public.

Carr raised nearly eight times more money than Flynn, and many of the people and organizations who supported Flynn in the 2003 election supported Carr this time around.

Carr said Tuesday night that she was pleased to be in the lead. And she said she was encouraged that she and Flynn's other challengers received so many votes.

"There's a pretty clear message there that the voters are looking for change in leadership," she said.

Stuebing said Tuesday she is proud most of the money she raised came from individuals.

"There's big difference between the candidates, so when we go to the general, there are going to be big issues to vote on," she said.

Emily Heffter: 206-464-8246 or eheffter@seattletimes.com