With only a handful of ballots left to count in the Nov. 4 election, the island’s two contested Vashon Health Care District races have now been decided.

Rebecca Chavez and Celia Cugudda have won Positions 4 and 3, respectively — each receiving about 51.5% of the vote, while their respective opponents Kelly Wright and Collin Hennessey each held around 48%. As additional ballots were counted early this week, it became highly unlikely, and then mathematically impossible, for the trailing candidates to overtake them.

The Health Care District contests saw the closest margins of the election. Roughly 10% of voters who returned ballots skipped both contests. Chavez, a clinical psychologist appointed in April to fill a vacant seat, led narrowly throughout the count, with her margin slipping early last week before rebounding to a 169-vote lead on Friday.

In the Position 3 race, retired pharmacist and health care executive Hennessey led on election night, but Cugudda overtook him in later counts and expanded her lead from 32 votes to 164 on Friday.

The race between Chavez and local naturopathic physician Wright also highlighted their differing visions for the district. Wright, who opposed the district’s creation six years ago, has continued to question some of its programs and policies, while Chavez has voiced strong support for its work and hopes to expand efforts in behavioral health.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to have earned the votes to continue serving as a Health Care District commissioner. Thank you, Vashon,” Chavez said in an email.

Islanders have voiced uncertainty about access to care, and Chavez said she plans to use her two decades of experience as a psychologist to help innovate and collaborate to ensure accessible services.

Cugudda said the close race underscored how deeply the island cares about and is engaged with local health care.

“I’m really thrilled, proud and grateful for the opportunity and for the community’s trust in me,” Cugudda said in an email.

In her new role, Cugudda said she hopes to bring a public-health lens to the district, with an emphasis on prevention, early family support and addressing the social conditions that shape health.

In the only other contested island race, current fire commissioner Amy Drayer defeated challenger Daniel Luechtefeld, maintaining a decisive lead throughout all ballot drops.

“It’s an honor to continue serving on the VIFR board of commissioners,” Drayer said in an email. “I have incredible respect for the work the department is doing and the direction of the leadership team. With so many external uncertainties, it’s good to know that Vashon’s safety and health is in such capable hands, served by strong depth of talent in the administration and the crews.”

Drayer said Chief McLaughlin has already demonstrated the experience and collaborative approach the board and community expected when he was hired.

With Station 55’s renovation complete, Mobile Integrated Health expanding and strong coordination with the Health Care District, she said the department is well positioned to meet the island’s needs.

Vashon also saw typically strong participation in this off-year election with about 56% of island voters returning ballots. As of Friday, Nov. 14, 5,216 ballots had been counted out of 9,321 registered voters. King County Elections has received 5,264 completed ballots from island voters, leaving fewer than 55 ballots still to be tallied.

Uncontested local races

Several island candidates ran unopposed in their respective races.

Jessica Adams and River Branch will serve on the Vashon Island School District board. Marta Medcalf and Chris DeGarmo will serve on the Vashon Sewer District board. Sarah George and Abby Leigh Antonelis will join the Vashon Park District board, and Tom Langland will continue on the Public Hospital District board. In the King County Airport District, Kaye Pierson, Truman O’Brien and Lauren Chase all ran uncontested.

County, state contests

Countywide, the race for King County Executive was decided after updated returns showed a clear outcome. On Friday Nov. 7, King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci conceded.

Executive-elect Girmay Zahilay, who led with about 54% of the vote in Friday’s count, will succeed Dow Constantine as the next executive.

“I am also honored to have earned such strong support on Vashon and Maury islands,” Zahilay said in a statement. “As a County Councilmember, I prioritized supporting unincorporated areas in my district, a priority that I will now take to the countywide level. 10% of people in King County live in unincorporated communities, which means the Executive is the closest thing they have to a Mayor. I will be a strong advocate for communities like Vashon and Maury Island to make sure they have a seat at the table.”

Zahilay said he will focus on the “most pressing challenges” facing the county, including expanding affordable housing, reducing homelessness, improving public and community safety, strengthening mental health and addiction recovery systems, and ensuring transportation and infrastructure investments “keep our region moving.”

State Sen. Emily Alvarado and Rep. Brianna K. Thomas led uncontested races and will continue serving the 34th Legislative District.

King County Proposition 1, which would renew the Medic One emergency medical services levy, is passing with about 81% of the vote. The measure would replace an expiring levy beginning in 2026 to continue funding the countywide emergency medical response system. On Vashon, the levy provides support for Vashon Island Fire & Rescue’s basic and advanced life support operations as well as its Mobile Integrated Health program.

State Senate Joint Resolution 8201 is also passing with about 71%. The constitutional amendment would allow money in Washington’s long-term care fund — which provides benefits for eligible seniors and people with disabilities — to be invested as authorized by law.