A week from today is Election Day.
Here are my observations going into the final countdown:
Position 2
Ramiro Valderrama vs Jim Wasnick
Valderrama and Wasnick are the most active campaigners of the six in this election. I see these two out and about sign-waving. Wasnick often appears in front of the super-markets pressing the flesh. Valderamma prefers Starbucks for mini-conversations. This remains the most hotly contested race, but I think Valderrama has the edge going into the final stretch. There remains the prospect of further smear tactics against Valderrama, however, that we all saw a few weeks ago, in a last minute, desperate attempt to sway voters.
Position 4
Kathy Richardson vs Nancy Whitten
Richardson is trying hard to make up for her three week absence during a critical part of the campaign. She had a long-planned trip to Africa solidified before she became a candidate. But this absence, coupled with a lackluster campaign before she left, leaves this race had to predict. Whitten continues her “Living Room” strategy, campaigning (if you can call it that) from her living room. Richardson is sign-waving and so are her supporters while Whitten hides in her living room, as she did in the 2001, 2003 and 2007 elections, willing to go to candidate forums but otherwise unwilling to press the flesh.
Position 6
Jesse Bornfreund vs Tom Vance
If Whitten created the Living Room strategy, Vance this year has adopted it, as we’ve written in the past. Nothing has changed here.
Bornfreund emerged to continue to joint appearances with Wasnick at the supermarket but otherwise is largely out-of-sight, out-of-mind. This is Vance’s race to lose (which was also the case in 2009 when he did lose).
Election Night
King County only reports once on election night, at around 8:15pm. Historically these results mirror the final one two weeks later. I’ll be watching and posting on election night.
Sammamish Comment 
CityHamilton provides useful information, but I suggest people take the initiative and when “pressing flesh” come prepared with topics of interest for discussion. How do you feel about the proposed Commons community center, why do you agree or disagree? what parts do you agree or disagree? What about the parks system? How do you feel Sammamish is addressing traffic congestion with increased growth and added secondary institutions? What about balancing development with the environment? The list goes on. I suggest taking the opportunity and “grillin” the open arms of candidates and find out what they’re about. Exapand to state initiatives… etc.