Pierce County Council ballots are in. Here’s who’s facing off for District 7 in November

The battle for second place in the Pierce County Council District 7 primary was close, but the first batch of ballots counted on election night ultimately reflected the final outcome.

Democrat Robyn Denson, a Gig Harbor City Council member, captured just shy of 58% of the vote in outgoing Council Chair Derek Young’s district. Sheriff’s Civil Service Commission Chair Paula Lonergan held on to her slim election night lead, besting fellow Republican Josh Harris by about 80 votes with just over 12% of the vote overall.

That margin is just enough for Lonergan, who is married to county Assessor-Treasurer Mike Lonergan, to avoid a recount. If the margin between Harris and Lonergan had been about 30 votes closer, there might have been a machine recount under state law.

The Pierce County Auditor will certify primary election results Tuesday at noon. The district includes Gig Harbor, Key Peninsula, Fox Island, McNeil Island, Ruston, West Tacoma and North Tacoma.

Denson’s vote tally of about 26,500 was close to five times that of Lonergan’s some-5,500 as of Monday evening.

Denson, 47, told The News Tribune her priorities would be planning for growth, protecting the environment, and addressing crime, homelessness, and mental health issues. She said she plans to continue using grassroots strategies throughout the rest of her campaign.

Lonergan, 69, told The News Tribune that increasing the number of deputies and enhancing visibility in unincorporated Pierce County would be top priorities if elected. In close second to public safety is her desire to replace the Fox Island bridge.

Live voting result updates for Aug. 2, 2022, primary election in Pierce County, WA