Soap Lake newcomers lead incumbents
Members of the Five for the Future coalition celebrate their respective wins in the Soap Lake City Council election. Pictured left to right: Kat Sanderson, Raymond Gravelle, Dave Ready and Keith Hagglund.
SOAP LAKE - Most Soap Lake City Council incumbents fared poorly Tuesday night against the Five for the Future.
The Five for the Future are a coalition of newcomers running on a progressive platform.
With 3,000 votes left to count in Grant County, mayoral challenger Raymond Gravelle held a handy lead over incumbent mayor Wayne Hovde. Gravelle gathered 229 votes, or 59 percent, to Hovde's 159 votes, or 41 percent.
Gravelle said the real work begins after stepping into the position.
"Now it is up to me and the council to shape Soap Lake's future into what the majority have said they want," he said. "I want to thank the hundreds of voters and supporters for caring enough to make a difference."
Position 1 challenger John Glassco held a much thinner, nine vote lead over incumbent Barney Berg, giving him 51 percent of the vote to Berg's 49 percent.
If he pulls out a win, Glassco said he and other Five for the Future candidates have pledged to work hard to improve the local business climate in the face of a statewide economic downturn.
For his part, Berg said keeping his position on the council would keep the integrity of the city's efforts intact.
"For eight years we have been grooming the state to help with improvement for Soap Lake," Berg said. "It must continue and you can't put that on a credit card."
In position 2, Kat Sanderson's 239 votes, or 61 percent, put her well ahead of fellow challenger De Vaun Black, who has 149 votes, or 38 percent.
Sanderson said she's excited to be part of a "new spirit of change" within the city.
"I am honored by you choosing me as your councilwoman and I look forward to getting to work for you," she told voters Tuesday.
Challenger Keith Hagglund cleanly captured position 6 from incumbent John Cline, with 230 votes, or 61 percent, to Cline's 149 votes, or 39 percent.
In position 7, councilwoman JoAnn Rushton was the sole incumbent Tuesday poised to win over her challenger, David Ready. Rushton held 205 votes, or 53 percent, to Ready's 183 votes, or 47 percent.
Rushton was unavailable for comment as of press time.
Another ballot count is scheduled for Wednesday at 5 p.m. and a final tally will be certified Nov. 29.