Incumbents lead in early returns for local school board races
READ MORE
Olympian Election 2025 Coverage
There are 31 ballot drop boxes located across the county. Ballots are due Nov. 4, 2025.
Expand All
Correction: Darby Kaikkonen succeeded Melissa Beard as president of the Tumwater School Board of Directors earlier this year. A previous version of this article erroneously stated Melissa Beard was the current president. Ty Kuehl was one of the board members who supported a policy to bar trans girls from competing in girls school sports. A previous version of the article stated misrepresented his position.
Early results showed incumbents Ty Kuehl and Melissa Beard leading in two competitive races for seats on Tumwater School District Board of Directors Tuesday night.
Kuehl is running against Daniel Mies, a district parent and Department of Social and Health Services Support Enforcement Officer, for the No. 3 seat. Meanwhile, Beard is running against Aimee Staudt, another district parent and private school office administrator, for the No. 4 seat.
In the North Thurston School board race for position No. 3, incumbent Sarah Ann Tracy is leading Loretta Byrnes, a program design and evaluation consultant.
Thurston County will post any changes in vote tallies and outcome as additional ballots are counted until the county certifies the results on Nov. 25.
The Washington Secretary of State will then certify the results by Dec. 4.
Tumwater School Board
In the No. 3 position race, Kuehl led with 3,424 votes (56.7 %) as of Tuesday night. Mies had 2,608 votes (43.2%).
Kuehl learned of the early returns from his home. Though he was in the lead, Kuehl had a measured response.
“I’m feeling okay right now, but I’ll feel better as more and more results come in over the next week or so,” Kuehl said. “I’m just grateful for everyone, for all the help and time spent. I’m not in celebration mode yet, by any means. There’s still a ways to go.”
Kuehl, who’s also a district parent, has campaigned on ensuring equity between Tumwater High School and Black Hills High School as well as addressing the district’s budget crisis, according to the voter pamphlet. He was appointed to the board in August 2024.
This year, Kuehl supported a policy to bar trans girls from competing in girls school sports.
Mies has advocated for curriculum alignment between schools, anti-discrimination policies, and preservation of staff positions. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday night.
In the race for the No. 4 position, Beard led with 3,674 votes (60.9%) while Staudt had 2,348 votes (38.9%).
Beard has served on the board since 2016. She has campaigned on fostering an inclusive environment for students as well as her professional experience.
Beard did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday night. Staudt said she would comment after the final ballots are tallied.
There are two other school board races with new candidates vying for vacant positions.
Julie Watts, a district parent and public policy professional, led in the race for the No. 1 position with 3,356 votes (55.3%) as of Tuesday night.
Sarah Overbay, a mother and state licensed foster parent, had 2,703 votes (44.6%).
In the race for the No. 5 position, Rob Warner, an accountant and local pastor, led with 3,198 votes (53.1%).
Mike McGowan, a former librarian and Yelm City Council member, had 2,807 votes (46.6%).
North Thurston School District races
In the No. 3 position race, incumbent Sarah Tracy led with 7,327 votes (57.5%) as of Tuesday night. Loretta Byrnes had 5,335 votes (41.9%).
Tracy was appointed to this position in September 2024. She said she felt excited after seeing the results at the Lacey Community Center.
“I’ve been serving in the position for a little over a year since I was appointed,” Tracy said. “I really enjoy the work, and I’m looking forward to continuing to serve our community.”
Tracy is a registered pharmacist who has described herself as a lifelong member of the district. She has advocated for practicing fiscal responsibility and meeting the needs of the district’s diverse community, according to the voter pamphlet.
Byrnes ran for state representatives as a Republican in the 22nd Legislative District in 2022. She has campaigned on improving student performance as well as safety for students and teachers.
Byrnes did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday night.
In the No. 2 position race, Timothy Bullus led with 7,465 votes (59.7%) as of Tuesday night. Jeremy Ryan, a district parent and president of the Cantergrove at Long Lake Homeowners Association, had 4,960 votes (39.6%).
Bullus is a veteran, former teacher and currently serves as Senior Director of Customer Experience at TechSmart. When reached for comment, Bullus said he was excited by the early results.
“It’s a pretty good lead,” Bullus said. “I have young children. We have lived in the area for a couple years. My wife still works in education, so I’m just glad to possibly have the opportunity to serve the community.”
Though school board races don’t get as much attention as other races, Bullus said they were still very important and he was glad to see the community participate.
“It’s really important that people pay attention and contribute,” Bullus said. “To all my supporters, even people who didn’t vote for me, I’m just glad that people are getting out and paying attention.”
Ryan did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday night.
Olympia School District races
In the Olympia School District, newcomers were vying for two positions being vacated by longtime incumbents.
In the No. 3 position race, Renee Fullerton led with 7,833 votes (66.4%) as of Tuesday night. Meanwhile, Rhyan Smith had 3,931 votes (33.3%).
Fullerton, a district parent, has touted her decades of public service experience, much of it in public health. Smith is a district parent and former OSD teacher.
The race will fill the seat being vacated by Darcy Huffman.
In the No. 5 position race, Gilbert Lamont, a data analyst and military veteran, led with 6,715 votes (59.1%).
Meanwhile, Emily Leddige, a deputy prosecuting attorney for Thurston County, had 4,586 votes (40.4%).
Lamont did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Leddige did.
Leddige said the low voter turnout so far was “sad” but there are still many more votes to be counted.
“Obviously, right now, I’m not in the lead,” Leddige said. “Things can always change. I think ultimately, either one of us, Gill or I, will be great for the board. ... I do want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this entire process, it has definitely been a big learning opportunity.”
The No. 5 seat was previously held by Scott Clifthorne.
This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 8:37 PM.
.jpg)