Tom Oliva leads in Tumwater City Council re-election bid

In the only contested race for Tumwater City Council, Tom Oliva is leading Stephen Ssemaala for Position 2.

Early election results show Oliva with 63.1 percent compared to Ssemaala, who is trailing with 36.3 percent . Oliva was appointed to the council in 2010 and elected to a full term in 2011.

Oliva, 56, credited his victory to his history of service in the community. He also praised Ssemaala for entering the race and giving voters a choice. Ssemaala, 52, had unsuccessfully sought appointment to a vacant council position in 2014.

Moving forward, Oliva wants to focus on economic development in Tumwater.

“The last six years I’ve been on the council, we worked very closely with voters to provide more resources for public safety,” he said. “The next four years are really going to be about economic development. I look forward to helping grow more businesses and grow the tax base in Tumwater.”

Four other Tumwater City Council members ran unopposed in the election: Nicole Hill, Position 1; Joan Cathey, Position 3; Eileen Swarthout, Position 4; and Neil McClanahan, Position 7.

The Thurston County Auditor’s Office will certify election results Nov. 24.

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 9:47 PM with the headline "Tom Oliva leads in Tumwater City Council re-election bid."