The Nov. 5 general election so far favors the challengers. First-week returns saw challengers in the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital district play upsetter to incumbents, while newcomer Heather Munden was beating former councilmember Terry Sorenson by a wide margin.

There was an exception—the Snoqualmie Valley School District board race between Marci Busby and David Spring. Busby leads by 300 votes.

Meanwhile, both local tax measures continue to show strong support, passing confidently.

Parks, fire levy

Si View Metro Parks’ Prop. 1, a one-year maintenance and operations levy, was passing by a wide margin, 78 percent, 3,046 votes to 834.

“We are again thankful and flattered from the Prop. 1 results,” stated Si View Executive Director Travis Stombaugh. “I believe the support is a combination of things…. I believe the residents of Si View Metropolitan Park District value the services we provide and recognize that we help to elevate the quality of life in the Valley.”

Fall City Fire District 27’s Prop. 1, an M&O levy, was passing with 75 percent, 1,164 to 378 votes.

School races

In the Snoqualmie Valley School District, the race between incumbent Marci Busby and challenger David Spring saw Busby with a 300-vote lead. Busby had nearly 52 percent of the vote, or 3,799 to Spring’s 47.7 percent, or 3,488 votes, for the District 4 seat.

“I want to thank the thousands of voters who have voted for a new direction for our school district,” commented Spring, who was carefully watching early returns. “I am very encouraged by your support. I greatly appreciated the opportunity to go door to door and talk with parents about the experiences of their children in our public schools. Win or lose, your voices have been heard and we will do everything we can to address your concerns.”

Tavish MacLean is unopposed for the District 1 seat, and garnered 5,494 votes. Write-in candidates garnered 41 votes.

“Being a rookie candidate, I was gratified with the 99 percent share of the vote,” commented MacLean, “but disappointed that there were many voters who didn’t fill out the oval.

“I’d like to thank my supporters and let them know that I look forward to working with the board and the administration to make our school district even better,” he added. “It’s important that we keep that perspective and recognize our successes, even as we get down to the business of addressing our challenges. I will be learning, questioning and sometimes challenging the status quo as a new board member, and my door is always open to community members with constructive input.”

City races

In Snoqualmie, Mayor Matt Larson was elected to his third term with 74.7 percent of the vote, or 1,584 votes. Challenger Ed Pizzuto received 532 votes.

In the contested race for Council Position 5, newcomer Heather Munden was leading former councilman Terry Soreson, 70 percent to 29 percent. Munden had 1,469 votes to Sorenson’s 609 votes.

Sorenson congratulated his opponent. Looking ahead, he said he would like to be on the city’s planning commission.

“Heather is a hard-working woman,” Sorenson said. “I hope she will represent all citizens.”

Bob Jeans, at Position 1, Bryan Holloway at Position 3, and Kathi Prewitt at Position 7 were re-elected, unopposed.

In North Bend, Alan Gothelf, for Position 2, Ross Loudenback at Position 4 and Jeanne Petterson at Position 6 were re-elected, unopposed.

In Carnation, Jim Berger at Position 2 and Kim Lisk, Position 4, were unopposed.

Hospital District

In the Public Hospital District 4 (Snoqualmie Valley Hospital) Position 2 race, challenger Dariel Norris was leading by a large margin, with 66 percent to incumbent Dick Jones’ 33 percent.

As of Tuesday morning, Norris had 4,325 votes to Jones’ 2,157.

In the Position 4 race, challenger and commissioner Gene Pollard was winning against incumbent Kevin Hauglie. Pollard had 53 percent of the vote, 3,713 votes, to Hauglie’s 45 percent, or 3,152 votes. That race saw 17 write-in votes.

Commenting to the Valley Record Wednesday, Hauglie remarked that, with under a quarter of registered voters counted, “it is early and I remain optimistic. The hospital is full, clinics are very busy and the entire team remains diligent carrying out our mission of quality health care.”

Initiative measures

I-522, which would have labeled genetically engineered food, was failing with a 52 percent “no” vote. About 837,000 Washington residents voted against it, with more than 772,000 voting for the measure.

I-517, which would have set penalties for interfering with signature-gatherers, require that all measures receiving sufficient signatures appear on the ballot, and extend time for gathering petition signatures, was failing with a 62 percent “no” vote, with about 965,000 people voting against the measure, 585,000 voting for it.

• The next count in the general election is Wednesday afternoon. You can see results at http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections/currentelections/201311/results/browseraces.aspx.