A week after Election Day, one South Sound race has shaped up so tight that neither candidate can declare victory – although one of them would like nothing more than to lose.
Federal Way School Board hopeful Danny Peterson stretched his lead over opponent Liz Drake to 327 votes in Tuesday’s ballot count. Peterson has slowly built a cushion after trailing Drake the night of the election.
What’s unusual about the contest is that both candidates want Peterson to win. Drake announced in mid-October she was dropping out after being appointed interim principal at Thomas Jefferson High School. Her withdrawal came much too late for officials to remove her name from the ballot or the voters pamphlet.
Just days ago, it appeared Drake might accidentally win the District 3 position, or that the result would be close enough to trigger an automatic recount after the election is certified on Nov. 29. If that were to happen, the career educator would have to wait to resign.
“You have to win the seat before you can not take it,” said Kim van Ekstrom, King County Elections spokeswoman.
Peterson had 50.56 percent of the votes counted by this afternoon. Drake said she hopes the pro-Peterson trend continues so that the pastor and former teacher wins the election outright.
She said taking the principal job at Thomas Jefferson, the district’s largest high school, was the best way for her to make an immediate impact on Federal Way schools. She previously retired as principal at Todd Beamer High School.
“I couldn’t have predicted this two months ago,” said Drake, 61. “Life has a way of taking you in directions you never thought of, but I am very happy it went in this direction.”
Peterson, 34, said he has no problem waiting out the election. He said the close showing – he and Drake each had more than 10,000 votes as of Tuesday – affirmed them both as worthy candidates.
“We both ran clean campaigns and she supported me after she withdrew from the race,” said Peterson, associate pastor at Grace Church in Federal Way.
If Drake were to win and resign, the School Board would have to open the seat to the public for an appointment to fill the four-year term. Peterson said he likes his chances if it comes to that.
School Board President Tony Moore said Peterson would make a good board member, whether elected or appointed.
“I think he would bring a perspective that we need, a fresh set of eyes,” Moore said. “I firmly believed either he or Liz would do a great job.
“Clearly (Peterson) will have a stake in the game, having young children who will soon be in district schools,” Moore added. “That’s a unique perspective.”
The District 3 seat is currently held by Amye Bronson-Doherty, who did not seek re-election.
In the only other contested Federal Way School Board seat, Claire Wilson defeated Gail Crabtree for District 2.
Matt Misterek: 253-597-8472
matt.misterek@thenewstribune.com
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