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Olympia City Councilwoman Karen Rogers was eliminated in Tuesday night's three-way mayoral primary election. Buxbaum garnered 43.75 percent of the vote, Pust got 33.27 percent, and Rogers had 22.59 percent.
Buxbaum, a consultant and part-time adjunct professor at The Evergreen State College, said he was pleased.
"I am very grateful that the voters value my experience and positive approach to city government," he said. "I'm very proud of the positive campaign that we've led and I look forward to continuing to spread our positive message out to voters in the general election."
Buxbaum has served on the Olympia City Council since 2010 and is mayor pro tem.
Pust, who led KGY's morning show for more than four decades until earlier this year, said he was going to give everything he has to become mayor.
"I just am very thankful to the voters that gave me a chance to move ahead and become mayor eventually," he said. "I'm just kind of overwhelmed at this point."
Rogers, a policy specialist for the state Liquor Control Board who has served on the council since 2010, expressed her gratitude to supporters in a statement.
"I wish Dick Pust and Stephen Buxbaum all the best in their continuing mayoral campaigns," she said. She said she hadn't decided whether to back one of her former opponents.
All the candidates said the city's budget, the economy or some combination of the two are the biggest issues facing Olympia. The city has made millions of dollars in budget cuts in recent years due to the economic downturn, and it faces more potential cuts in the 2012 budget. Other issues include revitalizing downtown, aiding the homeless and improving the city's tax base.
Olympia has a weak-mayor form of government. The mayor's primary role is to chair council meetings. He or she also works with City Manager Steve Hall to set the agenda, and represents the city in ceremonial functions.
