Incumbents in trouble for Sunnyside City Council

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. -- Incumbents did not fare well Tuesday night.

A single vote separated candidates in one City Council race, while challengers appeared to have the edge in two other races.

Unofficial results late Tuesday showed challenger Jason Raines and incumbent Theresa Hancock in a near dead heat with votes of 427 to 426, or 49.7 percent to 49.6 percent, respectively.

"I'm pleased to see it be so competitive," Raines said. "I've come into this race as an underdog."

Votes will continue to be counted as ballots arrive at the Yakima County Auditor's Office.

Raines, 34, a retired Army captain and McDonald's employee, joined two other challengers in taking incumbents to task for overspending, unpopular stormwater assessments, cutting city positions and firing a city manager after only 11 months on the job.

Hancock, 51, owns a liquor store and gift shop and has been on the council since 2005.

Mike Farmer and Don Vlieger were leading in their bids to replace incumbents Jesse Hernandez Jr. and Carol Stone.

Farmer had 519 votes, or 59 percent, to Hernandez's 356 votes, or 41 percent.

Farmer, 61, an automotive shop owner, said the results mean residents want something new.

"I think the voters of this community have spoken and they are not satisfied with what's happened down at City Hall," he said.

This will be Farmer's second stint on the council, where he served from 1998 to 2005.

Hernandez, 49, a financial adviser, is a relative newcomer to politics. He was appointed in March this year, after many of the council's controversial decisions.

In another tight race, Vlieger led Stone 445 votes, or 51 percent, to 419 votes or 48 percent.

Vlieger, 50, an inn owner, said all the results point to voter dissatisfaction.

"I think the incumbents did a good job of blaming everybody else and that message got out," said the retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy.

Vlieger also previously served on the council, from 1999 to 2005.

Stone, 61, a homemaker, has been on the council since 2005.

Meanwhile, Nick Paulakis, 52, an auto shop teacher at Sunnyside High School, ran unopposed for District 4. He was appointed to the council in July.

This marks the first city election in which candidates were chosen in the primary by district, representing geographic areas of the city. The general election was citywide.

* Ross Courtney can be reached at 509-930-8798 or rcourtney@yakimaherald.com.