Incumbent Hamada in tight Kent School Board race against Cook

Kent School Board incumbent Leslie Hamada is in a tight race to retain her seat while incumbent Meghin Margel is on the way to keeping her position.

Hamada received 50.64% (7,342 votes) while challenger Donald Cook had 48.54% (7,038 votes), according to results released Tuesday night, Nov. 7 by King County Elections. Margel had 58.43% (8,579 votes) while challenger Andy Carter had 40.97% (6,015 votes).

King County Elections will update results of the Nov. 7 general election ballot each weekday until certifying results on Nov. 28.

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Andy Song ran unopposed on the ballot. He will replace Joe Bento, who decided not to seek reelection, which means the five-member board will have at least one new member.

Hamada had the most votes in the Aug. 1 primary while Cook took second among four candidates. The two candidates with the most votes advanced to the general election. Hamada had 48.14% followed by Cook at 23.91%, Stephanie Lawson at 19.23% and Lizz Morgan at 7.97%. Lawson and Morgan endorsed Cook.

Hamada has raised $24,168, basically all money she gave to herself, and spent $22,161, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) website on Nov. 7. Cook has raised $3,950 and spent $3,239. Hamada spent most of her money on campaign mailers, signs and management and consulting services.

Hamada didn’t file a contribution and expenditure report in 2019 when she ran unopposed to earn her first four-year term on the board.

Carter raised $2,345 and spent $100, according to the PDC. Margel has not filed a contribution and expenditure report due to staying below the contribution and spending threshold.

The board appointed Margel to the seat in September 2022 after Michele Bettinger resigned. Carter was a finalist for the appointment.

Hamada has a long list of endorsements on her campaign website, including former Democratic State Rep. Pat Sullivan of Covington; state Sen. Claudia Kauffman, D-Kent; State Rep. Chris Stearns, D-Auburn; State Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines; King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove; and Kent Mayor Dana Ralph.

Margel’s endorsements include Ralph; Upthegrove; King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn; and Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone.

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