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The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Fitzgibbon vs. Heavey: Focus on Burien

2010 Election, Politics, This Washington   September 8, 2010 at 2:45 pm Josh Feit

We stand corrected about the Burien vote. Sorta.

In yesterday’s Morning Fizz, we reported that Joe Fitzgibbon lost his own hometown vote in the 34th Legislative District primary vote. (We were basing that on a color-coded map that showed Fitzgibbon’s opponent Mike Heavey winning Burien.)

A Fitzgibbon supporter called to say Fitzgibbon actually won Burien. He didn’t, but it was closer than our sweeping statement made it sound.

Here’s what the numbers show: Out of 28 Burien precincts, Fitzgibbon won 13 (and tied in one with Independent candidate Geoff McElroy), Heavey won 12, and McElroy won two.

However, when it comes to total votes, Heavey won 1347 to Fitzgibbon’s 1290. So, Heavey did, indeed, win Burien.

Consultant John Wyble’s analysis—wealthier waterfront voters going for Heavey vs. middle and lower income voters going for Fitzgibbon—applies in Burien, where Fitzgibbon, as planning commissioner, pushed shoreline regulations. (Wyble did not work for any candidate in the 34th.)

The two candidates are facing off tonight at the 34th District’s monthly meeting for the district’s endorsement, which went to fourth-place finisher Marcee Stone in the primary.




  • ap

    “However, when it comes to total votes, Heavey won 1347 to Fitzgibbon’s 1290. So, Heavey did, indeed, win Burien.”

    by your logic, al gore did, indeed, win the 2000 election. as much as i generally wish that the popular vote did control all, if fitzgibbon won 13 precincts and heavey won 12, it means that fitzgibbon did, indeed, win burien.

  • Jakers

    @AP, is there some kind of electoral college thing going on down in the 34th that I didn’t know about? Cause I didn’t know that the primary was decided by how many precincts a person wins.

  • ap

    ha. fair point.