Voters in Woodinville sent a clear message in Tuesday’s general election, backing a slate of candidates who advocated steady leadership and community-oriented growth with widespread victories. Early results show three of the four incumbents holding commanding leads.

Unofficial results released Wednesday show challenger Amber Wise with a wide lead over incumbent Rachel Best-Campbell for Woodinville City Council Position 3. Wise has garnered 67.99% of the vote, compared to Best-Campbell’s 31.53%.

Incumbents Michelle Evans, Sarah Arndt, and James Randolph hold early leads in their respective City Council races, with overall voter turnout around 23.7 percent.

In Position 1, Evans leads the field with 69.7% of the vote, ahead of challenger Jeff Lyon (29.9%), returning her to the council with strong voter support.

In Position 5, Arndt has received 67.64% of the vote, while Bobby Amiri has 32.22%.

In Position 7, Randolph holds the largest lead in the election, with 72.18% compared to Jaren Hanson’s 27.73%.

A total of 2,159 ballots were counted out of 9,101 registered voters, according to the King County Elections office.

 The results highlight one of the city’s most lopsided election nights in recent memory, indicating widespread satisfaction with the candidates who focused on collaboration, public safety, and balanced development along the city’s expanding downtown and Wine District corridors.

 

Washington voters statewide overwhelmingly approved Senate Joint Resolution 8201, with 70.1% voting “Approved” and 29.9% “Rejected.”

The measure amends the state constitution to permit funds from the WA Cares long-term care trust and similar accounts to be invested in equities, expanding options beyond bonds and fixed-income securities.

Supporters, including state budget leaders and the Washington State Investment Board, argued that expanded investment authority will help secure the long-term care program's solvency without raising payroll deductions.

Opponents raised concerns about potential exposure to stock-market volatility, but the clear result shows public confidence in the change.

 

King County: Parks levy passes with strong support

King County’s Proposition 1, a renewal and expansion of the county’s parks, trails, and open-space levy, passed overwhelmingly with 79.56% voting "Yes” to 20.44% voting "No.”

The measure keeps funding for regional trails, public pools, environmental restoration, and recreation programs for the next six years.

County officials called the result a vote of confidence in the region’s outdoor quality of life, noting the levy supports dozens of city partnerships, including Woodinville’s own trail-connection and park-maintenance programs.

King County will keep counting and certifying results through the end of November, but the trends are clear.

Woodinville’s voters preferred stability and direct local representation, while voters statewide supported financial modernization and investment in shared spaces.

For Woodinville’s new and returning council members, the focus now shifts from campaigning to governing, a task likely to focus on housing, transportation, and preserving the small-town charm that voters clearly want to protect.