Lovick leads sheriff's race; Edmonds backs its mayor

Early voters in Snohomish County's primary for sheriff seemed to favor a familiar name over two candidates already working within the Sheriff's Office.

State legislator John Lovick, a former State Patrol trooper, was leading senior Bureau Chief Tom Greene and Lt. Rob Beidler, both long-term veterans of the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, Tuesday night.

Lovick, who says he's ready to leave the Legislature and return to his first love of law enforcement, held a slight lead despite little campaigning.

Greene was trailing Lovick but far enough ahead of Beidler to give him a chance to sway voters in November.

Beidler had hoped the support of the county's police and fire rank and file would help vault him to the top, but his opponents have said his inexperience would be a factor.

County Council District 2

The early results of the county's only partisan race also left Jean Berkey with a hill to climb against fellow Democrat Brian Sullivan. Both are state legislators vying to face Republican William Cooper in the District 2 race to replace outgoing Councilman Kirke Sievers.

Sullivan's more aggressive campaign approach may help him win against Cooper if his lead over Berkey holds in the primary. Cooper has no political experience.

County Clerk

Also leading in early returns was Sonya Kraski for clerk. A veteran manager in the clerk's office, she was ahead of current County Treasurer Bob Dantini and deputy clerk Ron Ledford.

Edmonds Mayor

Voters were giving Edmonds Mayor Gary Haakenson a strong show of support. His early numbers were more than the combined total of his two challengers, City Councilwoman Mauri Moore and city staff member Don Fiene.

Moore held a slight lead over Fiene, but either could win the chance to face Haakenson in November and challenge what they call a questionable leadership style.

Haakenson has refocused the role of mayor during his two terms in office, maintaining a distance from the council's political decisions, instead occupying himself with overseeing the city's day-to-day operations.

Everett City Council

In two races for Everett City Council, an incumbent gained an early comfortable lead while a former councilman struggled to take the No. 2 spot in his district.

Ron Gipson, a councilman since 1996, was ahead of three challengers this time for the No. 4 position, with neighborhood activist Charlene Rawson second. Downtown businessman Jim Staniford and lesser-known contender John Henry Williams trailed the two.

Former Councilman David Simpson, trying to replace Bob Overstreet, who is retiring after 30 years in office, was trailing neighborhood leader Shannon Affholter in the Position 7 race. Another neighborhood favorite, Jackie Minchew, was third.

Christopher Schwarzen: 425-783-0577 or cschwarzen@seattletimes.com.

Diane Brooks: 425-745-7802 or dbrooks@seattletimes.com.