Greenstein has secured 61.82 percent of the vote leaving Mihelich, a license representative for the state Department of Health, with 37.64 percent, according to results.
Greenstein said he was extremely happy with the results and thanked his volunteers for helping put together a great campaign.
“I’m looking forward to leading Lacey in the right direction,” he said. He added that he looks to make Lacey more business friendly and fiscally responsible without raising taxes.
Mihelich did not concede Tuesday night, saying that he made a push at the end of the race and wants to see the next count.
“Hopefully that pushes me closer,” he said. “It’s a good turnout for a person that did not have the funds.”
If the counts don’t turn, Mihelich said he will congratulate Greenstein on winning the race.
During the campaign, both candidates highlighted their own community involvement.
Mihelich said his time officiating high school sports and serving as a substitute teacher gives him a different perspective. During his campaign, Mihelich talked about changing the city’s bidding process, including using apprenticeship programs. He also proposed developing another east-west traffic corridor.
Greenstein pushed his time on the planning commissions and its recommendations that paved the way for increasing the building size limits to allow Harbor Wholesale and Trader Joe’s to move in, creating about 600 jobs.
Mihelich’s main attacks on Greenstein were that he was too focused on business and that he didn’t have roots in the state.
Greenstein, who has a business background and is president of his homeowner’s association, said that having a business-friendly city is vital to come out of the economic downturn.
Greenstein raised more than $14,000 compared to Mihelich’s nearly $1,500, according to public disclosure figures.
Nate Hulings: 360-754-5476 nhulings@theolympian.com
