A yearlong process is nearly complete. Incumbent Vancouver City Councilor Laurie Lebowsky ended election night in the lead with more than 52 percent of the vote in her bid to serve the remaining three years of the Position 1 seat.
Initial counts put challenger Sarah Fox behind with just less than 48 percent of the vote. But as of Tuesday evening, only 42,868 ballots were counted for Vancouver City Council. Countywide turnout is expected to surpass 70 percent, meaning there’s still plenty of votes to be counted.
Lebowsky said she’s optimistic about her chances and feels encouraged by the initial returns.
The lengthy process began in November 2017 when Scott Campbell was elected to serve posthumously. The council embarked on an appointment process that netted 56 applicants. Fox and Lebowsky were both finalists, but ultimately Lebowsky was granted a seat at the dais — a seat she will retain if her lead holds.
“Since I was appointed to council in February, I’ve worked hard to listen to what Vancouver residents, what are their concerns,” Lebowsky said. “Those concerns are safety and security, affordable housing and transportation. I look forward to continuing that work.”
Fox emerged as challenger to Lebowsky in the primary from a pool of five candidates. Of that pool, Mary Elkin was also a finalist during the appointment process.
Back in August, Fox took more than 32 percent of the vote to Lebowsky’s nearly 41 percent.
Fox said she doesn’t think the race is done yet. She said people seem interested in someone with her socioeconomic background as well as her background as a veteran.
“Whether or not that’s what prevails, I don’t know,” Fox said.
If she proves unsuccessful, Fox said she wouldn’t discount the opportunity to try for appointment once again. Fox may have the opportunity soon, given City Councilor Alishia Topper’s win on election night.
The city council recently approved amended rules that outline the appointment process. Topper will tender her resignation soon, allowing the council to begin the recruitment process before Topper vacates the seat come Dec. 31.
But Fox said if she had the choice, she would tell council to get rid of the appointment process.
“I want people to elect me,” Fox said. “I want them to decide they want me.”
