Swecker, Becker, MacEwen have good showings

Unofficial ballot results show Sen. Dan Swecker will continue through to the general election against fellow Republican John E. Braun for the 20th Legislative District spot while Republican Drew C. MacEwen will take on Democrat Lynda Ring-Erickson in the 35th Legislative District.

As for the 2nd Legislative District, Republican state Sen. Randi Becker of Eatonville was dispatching a challenge from within her party, according to early results.

James Vaughn of Orting, a former Army budget analyst and Republican, was running third behind Democrat Bruce Lachney and Becker. The top two advance to the Nov. 6 general election, when Becker hopes to win a second term representing the 2nd Legislative District. The libertarian-tinged district spans from Yelm to Puyallup’s South Hill.

Democratic leaders recruited Lachney, an Eatonville cranberry farmer and former school board member, to try to retake the Senate seat in hopes of hanging on to or expanding their slim 27-22 majority.

20TH DISTRICT

Results seem to show two clear winners for the Senate seat in the 20th Legislative District with Swecker taking almost 55 percent of the votes and Braun getting 29 percent of votes.

Swecker, 65, heard the news at his Rochester home surrounded by family and friends.

“I want to continue to run an effective campaign, work hard and do the best I can,” Swecker said. He has held the Senate position for 18 years. “You can’t take anything for granted. I’ll be working hard to get re-elected.”

Braun, 45, president of Braun Northwest, a specialty emergency vehicle business, hopes voters will relate with his experience and understanding of the challenges of owning a small business.

He was attending an American Legion meeting in Morton when he heard the news that he will likely continue through to the general election.

“I feel pretty good about it; people have listened to our message,” Braun said. “We need to get out and talk to people and share our message with people so we have a lot of talking to do – all kinds of interactions with voters.

35TH DISTRICT

As for the 35th District state representative race, only one candidate in the Position 1 race could breathe easily Tuesday night.

“Being the only Republican in this race, I didn’t have to shore up my own party’s votes,” MacEwen said. “I had it so I could work on talking with independents, whereas Jeff (Davis) and Lynda had to concentrate on their own party.

“I felt good on the primary from the start, but I never want to take anything for granted.”

The 39-year-old investment adviser celebrated with about 40 supporters at a restaurant in his hometown of Union on Tuesday night.

MacEwen managed to take almost 42 percent of the unofficial results. Ring-Erickson had nearly 30 percent of the votes by Tuesday night, followed by fellow Democrat Davis with almost 23 percent and Independent Glenn H. Gaither with 6 percent of the votes.

“We will have to wait; obviously it’s still pretty early,” Ring-Erickson said from the home of her running mate, Democrat Kathy Haigh, who is running against Republican Dan Griffey for the State Representative Position 1 seat in District 35.

“It’s been a heartfelt race, and I’m certainly not going to declare victory yet.”

Both Griffey and Haigh made it through to the November election.

Davis said he doesn’t anticipate the numbers turning in his favor later in the week.

“I think the numbers show Lynda has pretty much won this thing,” Davis said.

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