Kauffman, Kaur District 47 Senate race remains tight for second spot

Kauffman up by 63 votes, outcome could be headed for recount. Boyce won primary

Claudia Kauffman and Satwinder Kaur

Claudia Kauffman and Satwinder Kaur

The tight primary contest between Kent Democrats Claudia Kauffman and Satwinder Kaur to advance along with Kent Republican Bill Boyce in the Legislative 47th District Senate race could be headed for a recount.

Kauffman leads Kaur by only 63 votes, according to King County Election results released Aug. 9. Kauffman has 8,159 votes (27.23%) and Kaur has 8,096 votes (27.02%). Boyce won the primary with 12,658 votes (45.58%).

Kauffman received 15 more votes and Kaur 13 more votes from results released Aug. 8.

If the votes stays that close through the Aug. 16 certification by King County Elections, a recount will occur. The two candidates with the most votes in the Aug. 2 primary advance to the Nov. 8 general election ballot.

State law lays out mandatory recount requirements, which is triggered when the election is certified on Aug. 16.

• A machine recount is required if there is a difference of less than 2,000 votes AND also less than 0.5% of the total number of votes cast for both candidates.

• A hand recount is required if there is a difference of less than 150 votes AND also less than 0.25% of the total number of votes cast for both candidates.

King County Elections spokesperson Halei Watkins said as of Aug. 9 a machine recount would be required. She said most ballots are in for the 47th District race.

“We are pretty much counted at this point although it is still possible to get mail with on-time postmarks from overseas and service voters,” Watkins said in an Aug. 9 email. “It looks like there are 423 ballots with outstanding signature challenges (328 with a mismatching signature, 94 who forgot to sign their ballot). Those voters are notified by our office with a letter, and phone and email if they’ve provided us with that information. They have until 4:30 pm on Monday, Aug. 15 to fill out and return the form to get it fixed and have their vote counted.”

King County Elections will release more results each weekday before certifying the election on Aug. 16.

Boyce is president of the Kent City Council and Kaur also is a Kent City Council member. Kauffman held the 47th District Senate seat from 2007 to 2010 before losing to Joe Fain, R-Auburn.

Sen. Mona Das, D-Kent, currently holds the seat, but decided not to seek a second four-year term. She narrowly defeated Fain in 2018.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia. File photo
Schools, housing, salaries score big in Senate Dems $70B budget

The proposed spending plan also spends money to fight climate change, help abortion providers and study police pursuits

t
SeaTac girl pleads guilty to hit-and-run murder of Maple Valley man

Judge sentences the 17-year-old to remain in custody until she turns 21; maximum allowed by law

File photo.
Audit finds accountability issues in King County’s equity and social justices programs

Auditors say the county lacks progress tracking, clearly defined roles and accountability measures.

t
Northwest Kidney Centers opening Panther Lake location in Kent

Open house set for 2-4 p.m. Thursday, March 30

Courtesy Photo, Metro Creative Graphics
Kent man faces murder charge in 2022 Auburn case of man found shot

The two men apparently were friends; man found inside vehicle

State Capitol Building in Olympia, WA. File photo
New forecast show state revenues won’t be quite as robust as expected

Democratic budget writers say they will be cautious but able to fund their priorities. Senate put out a capital budget Monday.

Elements of the city’s interactive space-themed park being lowered in. (Screenshot from Kent Youtube page)
Aerospace industry among Kent’s top economic boosters

Mayor said the Kent Valley is home to about 250,000 jobs.

Aerial view of Clark Lake and surrounding natural area. (Screenshot from City of Kent Youtube page)
Kent’s parks undergo renovations and reimagination

Mayor Dana Ralph outlines recent and future projects.

Most Read