In battle of Lacey City Council incumbents, Cox leads Steadman by wide margin

Lacey voters were not in an undecided mood, according to early results from Tuesday night’s general election, as clear leaders emerged in all three races.

In the Position 7 race — perhaps the most interesting because incumbent Michael Steadman decided to challenge Carolyn Cox for her seat — Steadman’s strategy appears to have backfired badly. Cox was leading as of Wednesday’s count by an almost 2-to-1 margin, 64% to Steadman’s 35.5%, or 4,936 votes to his 2,741 votes.

Steadman said Tuesday night he is disappointed, but added that he was “more sad for our city.”

“The people spoke and they’re going to get who they voted for,” said Steadman, adding that Lacey has been distinctly different from Olympia, but now they’re going to get “one big Olympia.”

“I have to leave it at that,” he said.

Cox said she is really excited about her lead, but was not surprised by Steadman’s comments, saying he has accused her of turning Lacey into Olympia before.

“It’s unfortunate he feels that way,” she said.

“I bear him no animosity,” said Cox, adding that he has served on the council for 12 years and on the Lacey Planning Commission before that.

“That’s a lot of public service,” she said.

Position 6 race

Program analyst Ryan Siu and banker Evette Temple vied for the seat left vacant by Steadman, and Siu was leading Temple by a 2-to-1 margin in Wednesday’s vote count.

Siu captured 67.9% of the vote, or 5,204 votes, compared to Temple’s 31.7% and 2,428 votes.

“I’m feeling great,” Siu said Tuesday night. “I worked really hard on this campaign and focused on what I wanted to talk about and tried not to let other things district from that. I’m pleased with the results and I’m excited to get out there and start working.”

Position 4 race

Gerontologist Maren Turner was leading auctioneer Charles Beck with 59% of the votes, or 4,579 votes, to Beck’s 40.6% and 3,146 votes.

The Position 4 seat currently is held by Robin Vazquez, but she chose not to run for reelection, opening the door for Turner and Beck.

“When I got the (election) news, I jumped up and down, I was so excited,” she said.

“I’m ready to get to work.”

“Yard signs don’t vote, no matter how big they are,” Turner added. “You have to actually get out there and talk to people, answer the tough questions, and show up at every forum and participate.”

This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 9:34 PM.