Editor’s note: This story has been updated with elections results as of Friday evening.
With votes continuing to trickle in following Tuesday’s mail-in-only primary election, it appears current Kent councilmember Tim Clark has a comfortable lead in the race for Kent School Board Director District No. 5, but the race for the second ballot line is too close to call at this time.
As of Friday evening’s posting of results, Clark received 8,771 votes or 51.75 percent of ballots cast.
Clark said Thursday that his 30-year career as a teacher shows his devotion to the position and that voters responded to his commitment to public education.
“I am committed to this because I am committed to public education in the greater Kent area,” he said.
The race for the second ballot spot in the general election remains close, however, with Dale Smith presently in second place, despite announcing last month his intention to withdraw from the race.
As of Friday’s results, Smith led Dave Watson by 32 votes, gaining 23.99 percent to Watson’s 23.80 percent.
Though he filed to run for the office in June, Smith in July said his work situation had changed and he would no longer be able to devote to the school board the time and effort necessary to be an effective representative.
However, because ballots for the primary had to be printed and mailed to homes, Smith cannot remove his name from contention and if he finishes in the top two, he will move on to the general election.
Contacted Wednesday for comment, Smith again said he had no intention of campaigning for the spot due to work commitments and again said if he won the election, he would be unable to serve.
“The role is too important to not give it absolutely everything,” he said. “If I can’t put the effort in that I know the students and the community deserve, I will work with the board to find a solution.”
Smith attributed his second-place finish to his involvement in the community and his role as co-chair of the Alliance for Diversity and Equity, saying the votes for him are votes for diversity issues in the city.
“I think it should send a message … that diversity and equity are issues that matter in Kent,” he said.
Candidate Dave Watson expressed disappointment at his current position in the race, but said he was hopeful that as further results are released he will move into the second spot so the race is at least competitive.
“I’m hoping there’s a still a chance I might pull it out,” he said, adding that too often smaller races go unopposed leaving no real debate for voters.
Watson also said that he wishes his opponents the best because all three candidates were in the race to do what was best for the students of the district.
“I am sure they mean well for all that are involved,” Watson said. “I wish the best for the Kent School district.”
Watson and Clark both also expressed disappointment at the low turnout for the school board race in Tuesday’s primary. Current results estimate the total vote at 20 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot in the school board race.
The top two finishers in Tuesday’s primary will face off in the general election Nov. 3.
For the most recent results in the Kent School Board race visit http://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/200908/Respage11.aspx
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