McConnell leads in early Bellevue School Board election results


November 9, 2011 · Updated 4:49 PM 

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Challenger Steve McConnell took the majority of votes at 50.62 percent over incumbent Betsy Johnson's 49.17 percent in the race for Bellevue School Board District No. 1, Wednesday afternoon.

These unofficial results show only 33 percent of ballots cast out of all registered voters. The election results won't be finalized until all ballots have been counted Nov. 30.

"I always thought it be a close race," said Johnson, a Bellevue parent of four and former Microsoft manager who came on to the board last year to replace a retiring member. "We will just have to wait and see how it comes out."

Johnson's opponent, McConnell is the parent of one gifted child and one special-needs child and the owner of Contrux Software based in Bellevue.

"I think I knew that as a challenger it was going to be tough to defeat an incumbent," said McConnell, who has brought up issues of openness, accountability and community engagement as his platform. "The fact that the race is this close shows me that people are listening, and I think that's good."

Candidates for District No. 2 and No. 4, respectively Christine Chew and Michael Murphy are running unopposed.


 

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters as of Nov. 9:

22,369 / 67,856 – 32.97 percent of votes tallied

Steve McConnell: 9,102 people voted  – 50.62 percent

Betsy Johnson: 8,842 people voted –  49.17 percent

Write-in: 37 people – 0.21 percent

For more information, go to http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections/elections/201111.aspx

 




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