The top two candidates in each of Burien’s City Council and other races have emerged after three rounds of ballot counts in the Aug. 5 primary election, with incumbents and political newcomers alike advancing to the Nov. 4 general election.
In the Burien City Council Position 1 race, incumbent Hugo Garcia steadily expanded his lead across all three ballot drops. Jessica Ivey, who will join him on the November ballot, also gained momentum as the returns progressed, reinforcing her position in the top two.
For Position 3, Sam Méndez consistently held onto the frontrunner spot throughout the vote count. Challenger Marie Barbon remained firmly in second place, advancing alongside Méndez as both candidates saw a solid uptick in support.
Position 5 incumbent Sarah Moore maintained a commanding lead over the field, strengthening her position with each results update. Newcomer Gabriel Fernandez, who steadily improved his standing, will advance to the general election to challenge Moore.
In the closely watched race for Washington’s 33rd Legislative District Representative Position No. 1, incumbent Edwin Obras is leading with 46.33 percent of the vote, according to the latest returns. Burien Mayor Kevin Schilling trails with 31.38 percent.
In the race for Highline School Board Director District No. 4, Damarys Espinoza holds a narrow lead of 834 with 8,756 votes, or 46.73 percent. Ken Kemp trails with 7,922 votes, or 42.28 percent.
Pending a late surprise, it appears that these leading candidates will advance to the general election on Nov. 4, 2025.
Final certification of the primary results is scheduled for Aug. 20.
City of Burien
Ballots Counted: 8,532
* Registered Voters: 30,366 • 28.10%
Council Position No. 1:
- Cameron Boosman: 489 • 6.03%
- Hugo Garcia*: 3,871 • 47.76%
- Jessica Ivey: 2,120 • 26.16%
- Claudio Fernandez: 1,589 • 19.61%
Council Position No. 3:
- Rashell Lisowski: 1,641 • 20.31%
- Sam Méndez: 3,868 • 47.88%
- Marie Barbon: 2,529 • 31.31%
Council Position No. 5:
- Jamie Jo Skeen: 1,117 • 13.83%
- Sarah Moore*: 5,050 •62.53%
- Gabriel Fernandez: 1,867 • 23.12%
State
33rd District Representative Position No. 1:
- Kevin Schilling: 6,498 • 31.38%
- Darryl Jones: 4,568 • 22.06%
- Edwin Obras*: 9,595 • 46.33%
Highline School District No. 401
Ballots Counted: 20,456
* Registered Voters: 78,908 • 25.92%
Director District No. 4L
- Ken Kemp: 7,922 • 42.28%
- Damarys Espinoza: 8,756 • 46.73%
- Shirley-Nita Enninful: 1,967 • 10.50%
*denotes incumbent
I believe home prices are wrongly inflated.
Where is the proof that homes are worth that amount? That is not friendly to retired senior citizens. It is obviously a ploy to increase value to make home owners pay increasing taxes. What we get in return is not equal to what we pay to the city, county and state. It’s never ending. Seniors can pay off the mortgage but that taxes never are reduced.
Sylvia, you are absolutely right. The recent rezoning rammed through the city council by the city staff will raise land valuations even higher. Tax assessments are based on the highest and best use of the zoning applied to the land. So if you have a single family home on a 7,000 sq ft lot that is now zoned for 3,500 sq ft lots with up 6-7 units per lot you assessed value for land will skyrocket even if it is not feasible due to other code restrictions. The new zoning FAR exceeds what is required by the new state law. It is a tax grab disguised as affordable housing. Pay very close attention in the November City Council Elections. All the incumbent council members running for re-election (who are currently leading in the primary) with one exception (Mora), supported the rezoning. These council members and candidates are funded largely by external sources outside the city as they push their radical socialist agenda. They have no idea what they are doing and are going to be the ruin of Burien if left unchecked.
Home assessments are made by the county and are based upon sales of similar homes, so the homes are worth what other people will pay for them. This is a lagging indicator in that the assessor can’t keep up with current sales. In a time of rising home prices, the assessments tend to lag what you could get if you sold your house. If the market falls, assessments tend to be higher. Over time this effect negates itself. There is no ploy here, it’s the free market in operation. And everyone loves the free market, right?