Elections
The 2025 general election results were officially certified on November 25, 2025, concluding one of the most closely watched election cycles in the Highline region in recent years. Newly elected Highline School Board directors were sworn in on December 3, and the Burien City Council will be sworn in on December 8.
Also notable this cycle was the strong passage of the Highline School District Levy, which easily succeeded with 63.34 percent approval. In contrast, Burien Proposition 1 on public safety did not pass, garnering just 47.25 percent support.
In Burien, the progressive slate of Hugo Garcia, Sam Méndez, Sarah Moore, and Rocco DeVito secured decisive wins for all four City Council seats on the ballot.
Within the Highline School District, voters returned every incumbent to office, resulting in no new faces on the board for the upcoming term.
Steffanie Fain was sworn in on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, as the newest member of the King County Council.
Below is a breakdown of each race, highlighting winners, percentages, and notable outcomes. The closest race of the entire local general election was Highline School Board District 3, where just 422 votes separated winner Joe Van from challenger Katie Kresly.
Burien City Council & Proposition 1
Position 1
- Winner: Hugo Garcia – 58.36 percent
- Challenger: Jessica Ivey – 40.89 percent
Position 3
- Winner: Sam Méndez – 60.96 percent
- Challenger: Marie Barbon – 38.62 percent
Position 5
- Winner: Sarah Moore – 65.00 percent
- Challenger: Gabriel Fernandez – 34.65 percent
Position 7
- Winner: Rocco DeVito – 56.13 percent
- Challenger: Stephanie Mora – 43.53 percent
Burien Proposition 1 – Public Safety
- Result: No – 52.75 percent
- Yes: 47.25 percent The proposition failed by roughly five points.
Des Moines City Council
Position 1
- Winner: Harry Steinmetz – 53.72 percent
- Challenger: David Denino – 45.83 percent
Position 3
- Winner: Gene Achziger – 97.66 percent (unopposed)
Position 5
- Winner: Pierre Blosse – 54.28 percent
- Challenger: Lloyd Elliott Lytle Jr – 45.21 percent
Position 7
- Winner: Robyn Desimone – 97.23 percent (unopposed)
Normandy Park City Council
Position 2
- Winner: Susan Jeanne West – 98.98 percent (unopposed)
Position 4
- Winner: Mike Bishoff – 97.16 percent (unopposed)
Position 6
- Winner: Eric Zimmerman – 98.70 percent (unopposed)
SeaTac City Council
Position 2
- Winner: Caitlin Konya – 60.32 percent
- Challenger: Takele Gobena – 38.69 percent
Position 4
- Winner: Mohamed Egal – 58.14 percent
- Challenger: Isabelle Kerner – 41.15 percent
Position 6
- Winner: Bedria Abdullahi – 55.76 percent
- Challenger: Michael Sanford – 43.76 percent
33rd Legislative District
State House, Position 1
- Winner: Edwin Obras – 52.13 percent
- Challenger: Kevin Schilling – 46.39 percent
State Senate
- Winner: Tina L. Orwall – 96.81 percent (unopposed)
Highline School District Board of Directors
District 2
- Winner: Angelica Alvarez – 53.33 percent
- Challenger: Sue-Ann Hohimer – 46.21 percent
District 3 – Closest Race of the Cycle
- Winner: Joe Van – 50.57 percent
- Challenger: Katie Kresly – 49.06 percent
- Margin: 422 votes
District 4
- Winner: Damarys Espinoza – 60.26 percent
- Challenger: Ken Kemp – 39.39 percent
District 5
- Winner: Blaine Holien – 98.44 percent (unopposed)
Highline School District Levy – Proposition 1
- Result: Yes – 63.34 percent
- No: 36.66 percent
King County Council – District 5
- Winner: Steffanie Fain – 55.03 percent
- Challenger: Peter Kwon – 44.43 percent
Members Discussion